LAWTON, clasping him by the hand: 'No, generous youth--even!' They
shake hands, clapping each other on the back with their lefts, and
joining in the general laugh.

BEMIS, coming forward jovially: 'Well, now, I gladly forgive you
both--or whoever DID rob me--if you'll only give me back my watch.'

WILLIS: '_I_ haven't got your watch.'

LAWTON: 'Nor I.'

ROBERTS, rather faintly, and coming reluctantly forward: 'I--I have
it, Mr. Bemis.' He produces it from one waistcoat pocket and hands
it to Bemis. Then, visiting the other: 'And what's worse, I have
my own. I don't know how I can ever explain it, or atone to you for
my extraordinary behaviour. Willis thought you might finally see it
as a joke, and I've done my best to pass it off lightly--'

WILLIS: 'And you succeeded. You had all the lightness of a sick
hippopotamus.'

ROBERTS: 'I'm afraid so. I'll have the chain mended, of course.
But when I went out this evening I left my watch on my dressing-
table, and when you struck against me in the Common I missed it, and
supposed I had been robbed, and I ran after you and took yours--'

WILLIS: 'Being a man of the most violent temper and the most
desperate courage--'