backward in his chair, in an uncontrollable burst of
laughter. "Oh, I just can't keep it up any longer,"
he exclaimed.

"Keep what up?" I queried, in a perfect maze of
bewilderment and surprise. "Keep what up?" I
repeated.

"Why, all this twaddle, farce, travesty and by-
play regarding Tommy! You know I warned you,
over and over, and you mustn't blame me for the
deception. I never thought you'd take it so in
earnest!" and here the jovial Major again went into
convulsions of laughter.

"But I don't understand a word of it all," I cried,
half frenzied with the gnarl and tangle of the whole
affair. "What 'twaddle, farce and by-play,' is it,
anyhow?" And in my vexation, I found myself on
my feet and striding nervously up and down the
paved walk that joined the street with the piazza,
pausing at last and confronting the Major almost
petulantly. "Please explain," I said, controlling my
vexation with an effort.

The Major arose. "Your striding up and down
there reminds me that a little stroll on the street
might do us both good," he said. "Will you wait
until I get a coat and hat?"