MRS. ROBERTS, in rapturous admiration of the coincidence: ‘Oh, and it was Edward’s _watch_ they took!’ WILLIS: ‘It’s a parallel case, Agnes. Pour him out a glass of cologne to drink, and rub his head with brandy. And you might let him sit down and rest while you’re enjoying the excitement.’ MRS. ROBERTS, in hospitable remorse: ‘Oh, what am I thinking of! Here, Edward—or no, you’re too weak, you mustn’t. Willis, _you_ help me to help him to the sofa.’ MRS. CRASHAW: ‘I think you’d better help him off with his overcoat and his arctics.’ To the maid: ‘Here, Bella, if you haven’t quite taken leave of your wits, undo his shoes.’ ROBERTS: ‘_I’ll_ help him off with his coat—’ BEMIS: ‘Careful! careful! I may be injured internally.’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘Oh, if you only _were_, Mr. Bemis, perhaps I could persuade Edward that he was too: I _know_ he is. Edward, don’t exert yourself! Aunt Mary, will you _stop_ him, or do you all wish to see me go distracted here before your eyes?’ WILLIS, examining the overcoat which Roberts has removed: ‘Well, you won’t have much trouble buttoning and unbuttoning this coat for the present.’ BEMIS: ‘They tore it open, and tore my watch from my vest pocket—’ WILLIS, looking at the vest: ‘I see. Pretty lively work. Were there many of them?’ BEMIS: ‘There must have been two at least—’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘There were half a dozen in the gang that attacked Edward.’ BEMIS: ‘One of them pulled me violently over on my back—’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘Edward’s put _his_ arm round his neck and choked him.’ MRS. CRASHAW: ‘Agnes!’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘I _know_ he did, Aunt Mary.’ BEMIS: ‘And the other tore my watch out of my pocket.’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘_Edward’s_—’ MRS. CRASHAW: ‘Agnes, I’m thoroughly ashamed of you. _Will_ you stop interrupting?’ BEMIS: ‘And left me lying in the snow.’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘And then he ran after them, and snatched his watch away again in spite of them all; and he didn’t call for the police, or anything, because it was their first offence, and he couldn’t bear to think of their suffering families.’ BEMIS, with a stare of profound astonishment: ‘Who?’ MRS. ROBERTS: ‘Edward. Didn’t I _say_ Edward, all the time?’ BEMIS: ‘I thought you meant me. I didn’t think of pursuing them; but you may be very sure that if there had been a policeman within call—of course there wasn’t one within cannon-shot—I should have handed the scoundrels over without the slightest remorse.’ ROBERTS: ‘Oh!’ He sinks into a chair with a slight groan. WILLIS: ‘What is it?’ ROBERTS: ‘’Sh! Don’t say anything. But—stay here. I want to speak with you, Willis.’ BEMIS, with mounting wrath: ‘I should not have hesitated an instant to give the rascal in charge, no matter who was dependent upon him—no matter if he were my dearest friend, my own brother.’ ROBERTS, under his breath: ‘Gracious powers!’