“Well, I’m—” said Mr. Ferdinand. “Kids in the library! I am—Gustavus!”
He rushed frenetically towards the servants’ hall to confer upon the situation with his intellectual subordinate.
Meanwhile the Prophet was closeted with the two kids.
“Pray sit down,” he said, very nervously, and smiling forcibly. “Pray sit down, my dears.”
The kids obeyed with aplomb, keeping their large and strained eyes fixed upon the Prophet.
“Is it Coronus and Capricorna?” continued the Prophet, with an effort after blithe familiarity. “Is it?”
“No,” piped the little boy. “It isn’t Coronus and Capricorna.”
A marvellous sensation of relief invaded the Prophet.
“Thank Heaven!” he ejaculated in a sigh. “I thought it must be.”
“It’s Corona and Capricornus,” continued the little boy. “And we’ve brought you a letter from pater familias.”