"'But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea' of a restless, all-absorbing passion, 'Thou'dst meet the bear I' the mouth,' as you will try to in this case. You will be ready to barter your ears for a kiss before very long." "It will be after they have grown prodigiously long and hairy in some transformation scene like that in which the immortal Bottom was the victim." "Your illustration tells against you, for it was only after his appropriate transformation that Bottom saw the fairy queen; but in your case the desire to 'munch' will be banned." "Come, Van, we have had enough chaff on this topic, already worn threadbare. I now know all about the mysterious complaint, the impress of which on the face of the school-ma'am has so dazed you. It's a New England female college--a place where they give a razor-like edge to the wits of Yankee women, already too sharp, and develop in attenuated maidens the hatchet faces of their sires. You may as well set about that picture at once, whenever you feel in the mood for work." "I admit that I have been speaking nonsense, and yet you may find many grains of truth in my chaff, nevertheless." "But is my picture to end in chaff?" "I will stand by my promise. If I lose, perhaps I'll paint you the school-ma'am's portrait." "Then we would both lose, for I would have no earthly use for that." "Well, I will paint what you wish, within reason." "I'm content, and with good reason, for never did I have such absurd good luck before." "Ha! look yonder--quick!" Both the young men started to their feet, but before they could spring forward, the event, which had so suddenly aroused them, was an accomplished fact. Both drew a long breath of relief as they looked at each other, and Van Berg remarked, with some emphasis: "Act first, scene first, and it does not open like a comedy either." Chapter VIII. Glimpses of Tragedy. Stanton threw away his half-burned cigar--an act which proved him strongly moved--and strode rapidly towards the main entrance near which a little group had already gathered, and among the others, Ida Mayhew. Not a hair of anybody's head was hurt, but an event had almost occurred which would have more than satisfied Stanton's spite against 'Yankee school-ma'ams,' and would also have made him very miserable for months to come.