quarter of a century. I shall require every fibre in the man's body. His
hand, indeed! You get in first, Agnes.

MRS. ROBERTS. I will, aunty dear; but--

AUNT MARY (sternly). Agnes, do as I say. [MRS. ROBERTS crouches down on
the lower berth.] I don't choose that any member of my family shall
witness my contortions. Don't you look.

MRS. ROBERTS. No, no, aunty.

AUNT MARY. Now, porter, are you strong?

PORTER. I used to be porter at a Saratoga hotel, and carried up de
ladies' trunks dere.

AUNT MARY. Then you'll do, I think. Now, then, your knee; now your
back. There! And very handsomely done. Thanks.

MRS. ROBERTS. Are you really in, Aunt Mary?

AUNT MARY (dryly). Yes. Good-night.

MRS. ROBERTS. Good-night, aunty. [After a pause of some minutes.]
Aunty!

AUNT MARY. Well, what?

MRS. ROBERTS. Do you think it's perfectly safe?