_Miss T.'s V._ I hope you don't consider _me_ nothing. And a word from me would bring him along pretty smart. The only question is, whether I'm to say it or not? _Miss P.'s V._ (_muffled_). Dar-ling! _Culch._ I really think I might almost venture to go down, now, eh, PODBURY? (_No answer._) Selfish brute! [_Indignantly._ _Miss T.'s V._ But mind this--if he comes, you've got to care for him the whole length of your boa--you won't persuade him to run in couples with anybody else. That's why he broke away the first time--and you were ever so mad with me because you thought I was at the bottom of it. But it was all his pride. He's too real independent to share chances with anybody alive. _Culch._ How thoroughly she understands me! _Miss T.'s V._ And I guess CHARLEY will grow out of the great Amurrcan Novel in time--it's not going ever to grow out of _him_, anyway! _Culch._ (_bewildered_). CHARLEY? I don't see why she should mention VAN BOODELER _now_! _Miss T.'s V._ I like CHARLEY ever so much, and I'm not going to have him cavort around along with a circus of suitors under vows. So, if I thought there was any chance of--well, say Mr. CULCHARD-- _Miss P.'s V._ (_indignant_). MAUD! how _can_ you? That odious hypocritical creature! If you knew how I despised and--! _Miss T.'s V._ Well, my dear, he's pretty paltry--but we'll let him go at that--I guess his shares have gone down considerable all round. _Culch._ PODBURY, I--I--this conversation is evidently not intended for--for other--ears. I don't know whether _you_ have heard enough, _I_ shall go down! _Podb._ (_with a ghastly chuckle_). Like your shares, eh, old chap? And mine too, for that matter. Well, _I'm_ ready enough to go. Only, for goodness' sake, let's get away without being seen! [_They slip softly down the series of inclined planes, and out to the steps, where they re-embark. As their gondola pushes off, Mr. TROTTER and BOB PRENDERGAST appear from the Museum._ _Mr. T._ Why, land sakes! ain't that Mr. PODBURY and Mr. CULCHARD? Hi! You ain't ever going away? There's my darter and Miss HYPATIA around somewhere.--They'll be dreadful disappointed to have missed you! _Podb._ (_with an heroic attempt at cheeriness_). We--we're awfully disappointed to have missed _them_, Mr. TROTTER. Afraid we can't stop now! Goodbye! [_CULCHARD pulls his hat-brim over his eyes and makes a sign to the gondoliers to get on quickly; Mr. TROTTER comments with audible astonishment on their departure to BOB, who preserves a discreet silence._ * * * * * A PALMY DAY AT ST. RAPHAEL.