"Goest thou henceford or thenceford, fair sir? Fain would I know—or wilt thou tarry awhile and let me pour into thine ear—"
Billy put his hands over his ears and stepped back in a hurry. "Please don't pour anything into my ears."
"She means she wants to talk to you," whispered Jack again; "that's stage talk."
"Ay, such is indeed the truth," said Sterry Optican, moving forward, followed closely by the light.
This time Billy stood his ground and she took his hand in hers, saying sadly—
"Would thou wert not so fat, fair sir, else could I learn, ay! gladly learn to love you—but hold, villain—unhand me!" and she flung Billy's hand away from her and burst into sobs.
"Jack Frost," said Billy wildly, "for goodness sake pinch me—I don't know whether I'm asleep or crazy."
"Nay, nay—curfew shall not ring to-night," cried Sterry Optican, seizing Billy by his hair and dragging him up and down the room. While she did this the King and Jack Frost clapped their hands loudly and cried, "Bravo, bravo!"
"You do it better every day," cried Jack. "My, my, won't people stare when you really do go on the stage!"