perplexity."

Roberts: "No, no! I assure you, Amy, if it hadn't been for Willis, I
shouldn't have known how to manage. I was quite at my wits' end."

Mrs. Campbell: "You are very generous, I'm sure, Mr. Roberts; and I
suppose I shall have to believe _you_."

Roberts: "But I couldn't act upon the suggestion to take the man out
and treat him; Willis was convinced himself, I think, that that
wouldn't do. But I confess I was tempted."

Mrs. Roberts: "Treat him?"

Roberts: "Yes. He was rather tipsy already; and Willis thought he
would be more peaceable perhaps if we could get him quite drunk; but I
really couldn't bring my mind to it, though I was so distracted that I
was on the point of yielding."

Both Ladies: "Willis!"

Mrs. Roberts: "You wanted poor Edward to go out and drink with that
wretched being, so as to get him into a still worse state?"

Mrs. Campbell: "You suggested that poor Mr. Roberts should do such a
thing as that? Well, Willis!"

Mrs. Roberts: "Well, Willis!" She turns from him more in sorrow than
in anger, and confronts a cook-like person of comfortable bulk, with a
bundle in her hand, and every mark of hurry and exhaustion in her
countenance. "Why, here's Bridget now!"

The Cook: "Maggie, mem! I was afraid I was after missun' you, after
all. I couldn't see the gentleman anywhere, and I've been runnun' up
and down the depot askun' fur um; and at last, thinks I, I'll try the
ladies' room; and sure enough here ye was yourself. It was lucky I
thought of it."

Mrs. Roberts: "Oh! I forgot to tell you he'd be in the ladies' room.
But it's all right now, Maggie; and we've just got time to catch our
train."

Campbell, bitterly: "Well, Agnes, for a woman that's set so many
people by the ears, you let yourself up pretty easily. By Jove! here
comes that fellow back again!" They all mechanically shrink aside, and
leave Roberts exposed to the approach of McIlheny.

McIlheny: "Now, sor, me thrain's gahn, and we can talk this little
matter oover at our aise. What did ye mane, sor, by comin' up to the
Hannorable Mrs. Michael McIlheny and askun' her if she was a cuke? Did
she luke like a person that'd demane herself to a manial position
like that? Her that never put her hands in wather, and had hilpers to
milk her father's cows? What did ye mane, sor? Did she luke like a
lady, or did she luke like a cuke? Tell me that!"

The Cook, bursting upon him from behind Roberts, who eagerly gives
place to her: "_I