"I can't be quiet! Those dreadful little monkey things are under
the table, nibbling at my ankles, I shall _have_ to scream!"

"You can't scream. Don't disgrace your country. Lady Margaret will
hear us, I much fear!"

"She's making tea at the other table. Besides, Mrs. Darrel and Eddy
are talking to her, Nora. Are you sure that big dog is safe? Did
you hear him growl? It was an awfully fierce-sounding growl! And,
Nora, I _think_ one of the snakes is loose. There were six in
the box and I can count only five--yes, Lady Margaret, the tea is
quite right. It is delicious."

But though, in truth it was delicious, and though equally to be
praised were the thin bread and butter, the Scotch shortbread from
Edinburgh, and the English plum cake, Mrs. Morris never enjoyed a
repast less. She spent her time making little sorties with her feet
at the marmosets, which took it for play and returned to the attack
with new zest; and she whispered to Nora that she was morally sure
the sixth snake was crawling up her chair.

Nora, herself, was not at ease; nevertheless, her patriotic
politeness conquered; she ate everything, looked at everything,
praised everything. Lady Margaret found her "most agreeable."

Mrs. Darrel had seen the snakes too often to be disturbed, and
Edmund was in his element. As for Oscar, he fell into sad
disgrace--he kicked the marmosets. Lady Margaret was too kind to
say anything; but Mrs. Morris did the subject justice all the way