"I assure you it is not necessary, madam," said the professor, with stern scorn. "There is no danger, aunty. I haven't taken any poison since I took a dose of Grim before the altar!" said Jacko, through her tears and laughter. "What have you taken, then, unfortunate child?" "I have swallowed an assignation," said the elf, as grave as a judge. "A what?" exclaimed all, in a breath, "An assignation," repeated Jacko, with owl-like calmness and solemnity. "What in the name of common sense do you mean, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Waugh, while the commodore and Mary L'Oiseau looked the astonishment they did not speak. "Pray explain yourself, my love." "He--says--I--swallowed--an--assignation--whole!" repeated Jacquelina, with distinct emphasis. Her auditors looked from one to another in perplexity. "I see that I shall have to explain the disagreeable affair," said the professor, coming forward, and addressing himself to the commodore. "Mr. Thurston Willcoxen was here this afternoon on a visit to your niece, sir. In taking leave he slipped into her hand a small note, which, when I demanded, she refused to let me see." "And very properly, too. What right had you to make such a 'demand?'" said Mrs. Waugh, indignantly. "I was not addressing my remarks to you, madam," retorted the professor. "That will not keep me from making a running commentary upon them, however," responded the lady. "Hold your tongue, Henrietta. Go on, Nace. I swear you are enough to drive a peaceable man mad between you," said the commodore, bringing his stick down emphatically. "Well what next?" "On my attempting to take it from her she put it in her mouth and swallowed it." "Yes! and then he seized me and shook me, as if I had been a fine-bearing little plum tree in harvest time." "And served you right, I begin to think, you little limb, you. What was it you had, you little hussy?" "An assignation, he says, and he ought to know--being a professor." "Don't mock us, Minx! Tell us instantly what were the contents of that note?" "As if I would tell you even if I could. But I couldn't tell you even if I would. Haven't the least idea what sort of a note it was, from a note of music to a 'note of hand,' because I had to swallow it as I swallowed the Ogre at the church--without looking at it. And it is just as indigestible! I feel it like a bullet in my throat yet!" And that was all the satisfaction they could get out of Jacko. "I should not wonder if you had been making a fool of yourself, Nace," said the commodore, who seemed inclined to blow up both parties. "I hope, sir," said the professor, with great assumption of dignity, "that you now see the necessity of forbidding that impertinent young coxcomb the house."