The Winged Beetle

186 MR TODD CARR. Shall I remind you—— EUPHEMIA. Must I remind you ? CARR. No ; my memory is excellent. EUPHEMIA. Of what you swore ? CARR. I swore at the granite for not being moss. EUPHEMIA. You swore to love me always. CARR. The champagne at the Mena House is not cham- pagne ; it is—the cork of it is labelled “ Good intentions.” EUPHEMIA. Then you didn’t mean it ? CARR. [kissing her]. Am I, or am I not—a plain ques- tion as between man and man—loving you now ? EUPHEMIA. Oh, I know ! But I am so worried that everything most sure seems all shaken in the storm of it ! I was glad—glad, glad !—when that Mr. Todd came in with his news, so that I could have a real good cry. [Very close to him, in a tragic whisper.] Something has happened—something is going to happen. CARR. And something has not happened—I knew it was a long time since we missed a week. By the way, have you heard the terrible news about Queen Anne ? Dead, poor soul ! Never mind, silly, you told me most dramatically, and it shall be counted unto you for righteousness. EUPHEMIA. I think you’re the greatest brute in the world—and I love you. CARR. How reciprocal of you ! EUPHEMIA. Sweet ! CARR. On my honour, I haven’t a single chocolate on me. Have a cigar ? [Business with case. EUPHEMIA. Be serious ! You must marry me at once. CARR. Then how can I be serious ! I understand from