"Who cares?" cried Jasper defiantly. "A great many expressions that
haven't the least significance are put in a thing of this sort. Padding,
you know, my dear sir."

"Oh!" said Ben literally, "I didn't know as you needed padding. All
right, if it is necessary." "It's antique, and perfectly lovely, and
just like Shakespeare," cried Polly, viewing Ben in alarm.

"Oh! let the Bard of Avon have one say in this production," cried Clare.
"Go on, do, with your 'cry you mercy.' What's next, Jap?"

"Are you willing, Ben?" asked Jasper, with a glance at Polly.

"Ye--es," said Ben, also gazing at the rosy face and anxious eyes, "it
can go as padding, I suppose."

"Oh! I am so glad," exclaimed Polly in glee, and dancing around the
room. "And you won't be sorry, I know, Bensie; the audience will applaud
that very thing I'm almost sure," which made Jasper sternly resolve
something on the spot.

"Well, I shall never be through at this rate," he said, whirling over
the manuscript to find his place. "Oh! here I am:

"'But cry you mercy, Sirs and ladies fair,
We aim but to be dragons,
Not mortals posing for effect.
We have a princess, to be sure'"?