"I have only two more crackers and this volcano," I said protestingly. "Surely you would not mind——"
"Don't be insolent," she said, "or I shall have no compunction in setting my dog on you."
I looked down, and there, sure enough, rolling a yellow eye and showing his fangs at me, was a sort of Uncle Tom's Cabin bloodhound only waiting to begin.
"The fact is," I said, speaking slowly, so as to emphasise the fact that I was a gentleman, "I am an American; to-day is our national holiday; and we make it everywhere our practice to celebrate it with fireworks. I would have done so in the road, but the island seemed so crowded this morning I couldn't find an undisturbed place outside the park."
Beauty was obviously mollified by my tone and respectful address.
"Please leave the park directly," she said.
I put the crackers in my pocket, took up my hat, placed the Haetna
Volcano under my arm, and stood there, ready to go.
"Accept my apologies," I said. "Whatever my fault, at least no discourtesy was intended."
We looked at each other, and Beauty's face relaxed into something like a smile.
"Just give me one more minute for my volcano," I pleaded.