Merillia with them, I hope," he
rejoined.
"No, sir, indeed. Gustavus said your orders was that they was to be
shown quietly to the library."
"Exactly."
"I begged them to walk a-tiptoe, sir."
"What?" ejaculated the Prophet.
"I informed them there was illness in the house, sir."
"And did they--er--?"
"The male person got on his toes at once, sir, but the female person
shrieks out, 'Is it catching? Ho! Think of--of Capericornopus,' sir, or
something to that effect."
"Tch! Tch!"
"I took the liberty to say, sir, that ankles was not catching, and
that I would certainly think of Capericornopus if she would but walk
a-tiptoe."
"Well, and--"
"By hook and cook I got them to the library, sir. But the male person's
boots creaked awful. The getting on his toes, sir seemed to induce it,
as you might say."
"Yes, yes. So they're in the library?"
"They are, sir, and have been talking incessant, sir, ever since they
was put there. We can hear their voices in our hall, sir."
Mr. Ferdinand again pursed his lips and looked like an elderly lady. The
Prophet could no longer meet his eye.
"Bring some tea, Mr. Ferdinand, quietly to the library.
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