Willis, turning to Mrs. Crashaw: ‘One ahead, Aunt Mary?’
Lawton, clasping him by the hand: ‘No, generous youth—even!’ They shake hands, clapping each other on the back with their lefts, and joining in the general laugh.
Bemis, coming forward jovially: ‘Well, now, I gladly forgive you both—or whoever did rob me—if you’ll only give me back my watch.’
Willis: ‘I haven’t got your watch.’
Lawton: ‘Nor I.’
Roberts, rather faintly, and coming reluctantly forward: ‘I—I have it, Mr. Bemis.’ He produces it from one waistcoat pocket and hands it to Bemis. Then, visiting the other: ‘And what’s worse, I have my own. I don’t know how I can ever explain it, or atone to you for my extraordinary behaviour. Willis thought you might finally see it as a joke, and I’ve done my best to pass it off lightly—’
Willis: ‘And you succeeded. You had all the lightness of a sick hippopotamus.’
Roberts: ‘I’m afraid so. I’ll have the chain mended, of course. But when I went out this evening I left my watch on my dressing-table, and when you struck against me in the Common I missed it, and supposed I had been robbed, and I ran after you and took yours—’
Willis: ‘Being a man of the most violent temper and the most desperate courage—’
Roberts: ‘But I hope, my dear sir, that I didn’t hurt you seriously?’