Well, then brother, I am glad you sent for me. I am sure that I should have busted if I hadn’t got away from there just as I did! Only to think of a woman holding her mouth for twelve hours! Nonsense, Cora! Nonsense! Come to the point. That is just where I am coming. I am coming to the point—to the point of explosion. As I said. I have held my mouth for twelve hours. Only think of that. And all that time, I have been generating—holding in—filling up. But now I will let off. Did you ever hear of a woman holding her tongue so long before? Cora, you are really cruel. I sent for you to learn something about the stranger that is in the cabin. That is just what I thought, and I will tell you all I know. That is a good girl, Cora—I am dying to hear about him. Yes, and I have been dying for twelve hours in his presence, and if you hadn’t sent for me just as you did, I am sure that I should have been dead gone. But Cora, you are not telling me anything. How can I? You talk all the while, and I can’t get a word in edgeways. Ridiculous! Ridiculous! Oh, Cora, stop this ranting. Let the ridiculous go, and tell me what has taken place in the cabin. Ranting! Well, that is pretty language to come from the first Lieutenant of the Reindeer. Well, may be I do rant. I have got a right to rant. I will rant! I must let off this superabundant amount of gas that has been generating in my brain for the last sixteen hours. But I tell you it is ridiculous. Well go on and tell me what is so ridiculous. That is just what I have been trying to do for half an hour. But I tell you it is ridiculous. Well, go on. I am going on if you will be still and give me a chance. Then I will be still. I won’t speak again until you get through. Then you will never speak again, for I never shall get through. Charles remained silent. Why don’t you speak? Why don’t you say something? There you sit as stubborn as a mule. I thought you had something to say to me and sent for me for that purpose. Charles still remained silent. Well, if it has come to this, that my brother can’t speak to me, I will go. But I tell you it is ridiculous. Charles still remained silent. No, I won’t go. I’ll make you speak if I have to stay all day. Charles lighted a cigar, and resigned himself to a chair.