Basil took his courage in both hands. "He said—it was all in one breath—He said, 'O-burn-your-lungs-and-liver-you-lubberly-son-of-a- lop-eared-weevil-tell-Barbara-you-love-her!'"
"Oh, Mr. Basil!" sighed Barbara, and threw herself headlong into his arms.
"But it's true!—It's true!" he cried enthusiastically. "Come! let me tell you my own way!" And without more ado, he picked her up and carried her bodily into the Gazebo.
"It's perfectly monstrous!" Jack was explaining angrily to Marjolaine, who was now under his window. "The old fossil's brought two eggs, a red herring, and a pot of currant jelly!"
"Poor Jack!" exclaimed Marjolaine sympathetically, yet with a note of laughter in her voice.
"Is that rations for a grown man?" asked Jack pathetically. "Says he'll make an omelette! Two eggs! An omelette! Ho!"
Here the Eyesore crept cautiously back to his post. He had not dared come in broad daylight, but now that it was nearly dark he hoped he would be unobserved.
From the Gazebo came the voices of the other lovers in long-drawn notes.
"My own!" said Basil, in a stupendous bass.
"My Basil!" echoed Barbara.