FABLE. Crying, too! A charming family--and I seem to have called at a
crisis.
EUCLID. (_aside._) I have a thought! My dear, you know the gentleman
whom I threw--ahem!
MRS. F. Sir!
EUCLID. You know--the gentleman in the basket I mean.
MRS. F. Well?
EUCLID. (_aside._) He came in here--you lost him, you know--and
hearing Mr. Holdfast, I popped the cover on him--it was he. (_aside._)
I wish it had been!
MRS. F. Oh, is that all?--what a clever man you are, Euclid. That was
nothing, Mr. Holdfast--nothing at all.
HOLD. How very satisfactory!
MRS. F. Only a frolic of my husband's, funny little man. He meant to
astonish you.
HOLD. Egad, he succeeded, too! I never was so struck in my life!
FABLE. Nor I. I thought there was a legend attached to the house!
EUCLID. And yet, you see, you had doubts of my fidelity, when I was
only guilty of--(_aside._)--murder.
MRS. F. Do not be angry; you know appearances were against you.
HOLD. Well, what say you to a stroll on the banks of the river, while
supper is getting ready?
JULIA. Oh, delightful! this is the most romantic time, twilight.
FABLE. Yes, the very moment for a ghost story!