"
"Yes, yes. I'll come. Say I'll come, Mr. Ferdinand."
"Yes, sir."
As the door closed the Prophet exclaimed excitedly,--
"I fear I really must--"
"Take down your directions, sir," broke in Mr. Sagittarius, firmly.
"Very well," rejoined the Prophet, desperately, seizing his pencil and
the account-book. "What are they?"
"You swear to follow them, sir?"
"Yes, yes, anything--anything!"
"Have you a star map?"
"Yes--no!"
"You must get one."
"Very well."
"You had better do so at the Stores."
Madame breathed an almost sensuous sigh which caused her husband to
glance tenderly towards her.
"I know, my love, I know," he said. "It may come some day."
"_O festum dies! Longa intervallam!_" she murmured, shaking her bonnet
with the manner of a martyr to duty.
Mr. Sagittarius was greatly moved.
"She's a saint," he whispered aside to the Prophet, as if imparting some
necessary information.
"Certainly. Please go on!"
Mr. Sagittarius started, as if suddenly recalled to mundane matters.
"Get it at the Stores," he said. "In the astronomical department."
"Very well."
"Having done so, and keeping the old lady perpetually in your mind, you
will place her in the claws of the crab--"
"What!"
"Mentally, sir, mentally, of course.
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