“Trust me to manage all descriptions of he-animals,” replied Rattler minima. “Ah, how d’ye do?—how d’ye do? Welcome, rovers, welcome!” she exclaimed, waving her handkerchief as they approached.
“Lovely ladies, we once more live in your presence,” began Hearty.
“‘Oh that I were a glove upon that hand!’” shouted Carstairs.
“Oh, don’t, you’ll make us blush!” screamed Susan, from over the bushes. “But seriously, we’re so glad you’re come, because now we can have the pic-nic to Netley you promised us.”
“I like frankness—when shall it be?” said Hearty.
“To-morrow, by all means,—never delay a good thing.”
“‘If ’twere done, ’twere well ’twere done quickly,’” observed the captain.
“That’s what Shakespeare says about a beef-steak,” cried Susan. “But I say then, it’s settled—how nice!”
“What? that we are to have beef-steaks?” asked Hearty. “They are very nice when one’s hungry.”
“No, I mean that we are to have a pic-nic to-morrow,” said the fair Rattler.