"Daddy left his crutches here yesterday. To be ready for him whenever he comes."
"And not tear a hole in the drugget?"
"Not if he goes gently and I put my hand on his back!"
"Which hand?"
"This one I've got hold of you with, Miss Coupland! Any more questions?"
Lizarann pursed up her lips and shook her head. But she reconsidered her decision. "Yass! About Dr. Side—Dr. Side...."
"Dr. Sidrophel? What about him?"
"Why's his real nime Pordage?" She had the name very pat, showing close observation and reflection.
Mr. Yorick had to consider the point. "Well!" said he presently, "I admit it's rather a bad job. But there's no way out of it now. It is his real name, and that's all about it!" But Lizarann looked dissatisfied. "We may call him Dr. Sidrophel behind his back, Lizarann," added he.
"Supposing he was to hear us talking behind his back, and was to listen behind his back...!" Hypothetical knavery being admitted between these two, as a necessity in ingenious fictions, Mr. Yorick did not think a homily on truth-telling necessary at this point. In fact, he counselled bold duplicity, to Lizarann's great relief. "We should have to go far enough off, Lizarann," said he. And the stage direction indicated was so pleasant to her unfledged mind that she utilized it to develope the subject further—kept the curtain up, as it were!