CULCH. My little affair? Get over? (_He suddenly understands._) Oh, ah, to be sure. Yes, thank you, my dear fellow, it is not making me _particularly_ unhappy. [_He goes into a fit of silent laughter._ PODB. Glad to hear it. (_To himself._) 'Jove, if he only knew what _I_ know! [_He chuckles._ CULCH. _You_ don't appear to be exactly heartbroken? PODB. I? why _should_ I be--about _what_? CULCH. (_with an affectation of reserve_). Exactly, I was forgetting. (_To himself._) It's really rather humorous. (_He laughs again._) Ha, we're beginning to go down now. Hey for Italy--la bella Italia! (_The diligence takes the first curve._) Good Heavens, what a turn! We're going at rather a sharp pace for downhill, eh? I suppose these Swiss drivers know what they're about, though. PODB. Oh, yes, generally--when they're not drunk. I can only see this fellow's boots--but they look to me a trifle squiffy. CULCH. (_inspecting them, anxiously)_. He does seem to drive very recklessly. _Look_ at those leaders--heading right for the precipice.... Ah, just saved it! How we do lurch in swinging round! PODB. Topheavy--I expect, too much luggage on board--have another sandwich? CULCH. Not for me, thanks. I say, I wonder if it's safe, having no parapet, only these stone posts, eh? PODB. Safe enough--unless the wheel catches one--it was as near as a toucher just then--aren't you going to smoke? No? _I_ am. By the way, what were you so amused about just now, eh? CULCH. _Was_ I amused? (_The vehicle gives another tremendous lurch._) Really, this is _too_ horrible! PODB. (_with secret enjoyment._) We're right enough, if the horses don't happen to stumble. That off-leader isn't over sure-footed--did you see _that_? (CULCH. _shudders._) But what's the joke about Miss Prendergast? CULCH. (_irritably_). Oh, for Heaven's sake, don't bother about that _now_! I've something else to think about. My goodness, we were nearly over that time! What are you looking at? PODB. (_who has been leaning forward_). Only one of the traces--they've done it up with a penny ball of string, but I dare say it will stand the strain. You aren't _half_ enjoying the view, old fellow. CULCH. Yes, I am. Magnificent!--glorious!--isn't it? PODB. Find you see it better with your eyes shut? But I say, I wish you'd explain what you were sniggering at. CULCH. Take my advice, and don't press me, my dear fellow; you may regret it if you do! PODB. I'll risk it. It must be a devilish funny joke to tickle you like that. Come, out with it! CULCH. Well, if you must know, I was laughing.... Oh, he'll _never_ get those horses round in.... I was--er--rather amused by your evident assumption that I must have been _rejected_ by Miss Prendergast. PODB. Oh, was _that_ it? And you're nothing of the kind, eh? [_He chuckles again._ CULCH. (_with dignity_). No doubt you will find it very singular; but, as a matter of fact, she--well, she most certainly did not _discourage_ my pretensions.