The Winged Beetle

MR TODD 181 as far as we can see at present. But I assure you that I share your sentiments. I have heard very ill things said of him, I can tell you. MRS. OSSORY. Who is he ? Does any one know ? A man of family, I hope. How dreadful for poor Henry if he had been run over by a plebeian ! OSSORY. Well, we hardly know—I wonder if his credit is good. [His voice sinks to a whisper as the awful suspicion that he may be financially unsound strikes him.] CARR. [sharply, as if pained]. Oh, oh ! Don’t suggest such a thing without the very best reason. It would be too terrible ! [This time EUPHEMIA laughs. OSSORY. My dear boy, I deliberately say it. I have the very best of reasons for supposing him to be very deeply dipped. Very deeply dipped. CARR. [Hides his head in his hands and groans, pretend- ing to be overwhelmed by the tragedy. Looks up.] Well, I was told he other day that he held a lot of land in London, and has more tenants than the Duke of Westminster ! OSSORY. Well, we’ll hope it is true. But in these days one never knows. And he leaves a very unpleasant impression wherever he goes. If I were not an English- man I should say that the feeling I had for him was not very far removed from actual fear ! CARR. Well said, sir. Hearts of oak in the City, eh ? [OSSORY glares at him suspiciously. EUPHEMIA both enjoys the joke and is angry that her father is the butt of it. EUPHEMIA. Well, I’m not afraid of him—I think I rather like him. I’m sure he’s a good man, when one knows him.