192 
MR TODD 
 
 
OSSORY.  I want to say a word, girlie, about young Del-
homme.  Er—well, we all grow older, you know—one 
day—er—ah !  Nice young fellow, Delhomme !    
EUPHEMIA.  I refused him twenty minutes ago, father.  
OSSORY.  What ?  How the deuce did you know what I 
was going to say ?  Bless me, I believe there may be some-
thing in this psychic business after all !    
EUPHEMIA.  Yes, father, I feel I have strange powers !    
OSSORY.  But look here, girlie, why did you refuse him ?  
Reculer pour mieux sauter is all very well, don’t you know, 
but he gives twice who gives quickly.  
EUPHEMIA.  That’s the point, father.  If you accept a 
man the first time he asks you it’s practically bigamy !    
OSSORY.  But—little girl, you ought to accept him at 
once.  He will make you an excellent husband—I wish 
it.  [Pompously.] It has ever been the desire of my heart to 
see my Phemie happily mated before I lay my old bones 
in the grave.  
EUPHEMIA.  But I don’t love him.  He’s a quirk.  
OSSORY.  Tut !  Nonsense !  Appetite comes with eating.  
EUPHEMIA.  But I don’t care for hors d’oeuvre.  
OSSORY.  Euphemia, this is a very serious matter for 
your poor old father.  
EUPHEMIA.  What have you got to do with it ?  Really, 
father——  
OSSORY.  I have everything to do with it.  The fact is, 
my child—here !  I’ll make a clean breast of it.  I’ve been 
gambling, and things have gone wrong.  Only temporarily, 
of course, you understand.  Only temporarily.  But—oh, 
if I had only kept out of Fidos !