_Miss F.B._ (_with as much conviction as possible under the
circumstances_).

And the silence deepened; no creature stirred in the stagnant hush,
and the only sound
Was the far-off lumbering jolt, produced by the prairie rolling for
leagues around!

_Soc. Chat._ (_crescendo_). Oh, an old aunt of mine has gone in for
step-dancing--she's had several lessons ... and cut her knees rather
badly, y'know, so I put her out to grass ... and now she can sit
up and hold a biscuit on her nose ... but she really ought to mix a
little grey in her wig!

[_&c. &c., to the distraction of the Unsophisticated Guest,
who is getting quite interested in LOBELIA BANGS whom he
suddenly discovers, much to his surprise, on horseback._

_Miss F.B._

And on we cantered, without a word, in the midday heat, on our swift
mustangs.
I was only ignorant Cowboy CLEM--but I worshipped bright LOBELIA BANGS!

_Soc. Chat._ (_fortissimo_). Not for ages; but last time I met him he
was ... in a dreadful state, with the cook down with influenza ... and
so I suppose he's _married_ her by this time!

_Miss F.B._ (_excitedly_).