MRS. ROBERTS (returning with her husband to his seat, and bringing the baby with her). There! Did you ever see such a sleeper, Edward? [In her ecstasy she abandons all control of her voice, and joyfully exclaims.] He has slept all through this excitement, without a wink. A solemn Voice from one of the berths. I envy him. [A laugh follows, in which all the passengers join.] MRS. ROBERTS (in a hoarse whisper, breaking a little with laughter). Oh, my goodness! there I went again. But how funny! I assure you, Edward, that if their remarks had not been about me, I could have really quite enjoyed some of them. I wish there had been somebody here to take them down. And I hope I shall see some of the speakers in the morning before--Edward, I've got an idea! MR. ROBERTS (endeavoring to teach his wife by example to lower her voice, which has risen again). What--what is it, my dear? MRS. ROBERTS. Why, don't you see? How perfectly ridiculous it was of me not to think of it before! though I did think of it once, and hadn't the courage to insist upon it. But of course it is; and it accounts for his being so polite and kind to me through all, and it's the only thing that can. Yes, yes, it must be. MR. ROBERTS (mystified). What? MRS. ROBERTS. Willis. MR. ROBERTS. Who? MRS. ROBERTS. This Californian. MR. ROBERTS. Oh! MRS. ROBERTS. No _stranger_ could have been so patient and--and--attentive; and I know that he recognized me from the first, and he's just kept it up for a joke, so as to surprise us and have a good laugh at us when we get to Boston. Of _course_ it's Willis. MR. ROBERTS (doubtfully). Do you think so, my dear? MRS. ROBERTS. I _know_ it. Didn't you notice how he looked at your card? And I want you to go at once and speak to him, and turn the tables on him. MR. ROBERTS. I--I'd rather _not_, my dear. MRS. ROBERTS. Why, Edward, what can you mean? MR. ROBERTS. He's very violent. Suppose it _shouldn't_ be Willis? MRS. ROBERTS. Nonsense! It _is_ Willis. Come, let's both go and just tax him with it. He can't deny it, after all he's done for me. [She pulls her reluctant husband toward THE CALIFORNIAN'S berth, and they each draw a curtain.] Willis! THE CALIFORNIAN (with plaintive endurance). Well, ma'am? MRS. ROBERTS (triumphantly). There! I knew it was you all along. How could you play such a joke on me? THE CALIFORNIAN. I didn't know there'd been any joke; but I suppose there must have been, if you say so. Who am I now, ma'am--your husband, or your baby, or your husband's wife, or-- MRS. ROBERTS. How funny you are! You _know_ you're Willis Campbell, my only brother. Now _don't_ try to keep it up any longer, Willis. [Voices from various berths. "Give us a rest, Willis!" "Joke's too thin, Willis!" "You're played out, Willis!" "Own up, old fellow--own up!"]