Miss T. My!—but that's a serious symptom—isn't it? You don't feel like you were going to have lock-jaw, do you, Mr. CULCHARD?
[CULCHARD falls back to the rear once more. Later—Mr. VAN BOODELER has joined the party; HYPATIA has contrived to detach her brother, CULCHARD has sought refuge with PODBURY.
Miss T. (to VAN B.). So that's what kept you? "Well, it sounds just too enchanting. But I cann't answer for what Miss PRENDERGAST will say to it. It mayn't suit her notions of propriety.
Mr. Van B. I expect she'll be superior to Britannic prejudices of that kind. I consider your friend a highly cultivated and charming lady, MAUD. She produces that impression upon me.
Miss T. I presume, from that, she has shown an intelligent interest in the great American novel?
Mr. Van B. Why, yes; it enlists her literary sympathies—she sees all its possibilities.
Miss T. And they're pretty numerous, too. But here she comes. You'd better tell her your plan right now.
Miss P. (in an earnest undertone to BOB, as they approach, followed by CULCH. and BOB). You must try and be sensible about it, BOB; if you are too blind to see that she is only—
BOB (sulkily). All right! Haven't I said I'd go? What's the good of jawing about it?