_Charles._ What has happened? Nothing, strictly speaking ... but a whole lot _may_ happen.
_John._ And that must be prevented,—and that is why we have come to seek comfort, counsel, and help from the hospitable Fournichon.
_Charles._ I’ll tell you all about it. We were just coming quietly and comfortably from lecture together, when we passed a baker’s shop, when the servant girl was just washing the windows. John took it into his head that we might lend a hand, and I seized a pail of water, intending to throw the contents at the window, when the pail itself slipped from my hands, and flew right through the plate-glass window into the middle of the currant-buns and cakes! Unhappily, the aforesaid incorruptible policeman just happened to be in the neighbourhood, so that he caught us red-handed, and we had to make good use of our legs to escape being locked up at once.
_John._ You will understand that we did not intend any mischief,—it was a harmless joke, which turned out badly.
_Fournichon._ Of course. And not only so, but there was provocation on the baker’s part. If he had chosen another time of day to have his windows cleaned, it could not possibly have turned out so. In any case, there are plenty of extenuating circumstances, and I don’t understand why you gentlemen should have such a violent objection to a day or two under lock and key. That happens often enough, and young gentlemen don’t usually think so much of it.
_John._ That is true, but to-day is an extraordinary occasion. We were going to the fancy-dress ball to-night, and should be very sorry to miss it. So you see us in a fearful scrape, with a gendarme at our heels, and you must help us. [_A ring at the bell._] What’s that?
_Fournichon._ I don’t know; we shall see in a minute. [_Steps are heard coming up the stairs._]
_Charles._ John, get out of sight. [_They hide._]
_Pierre_ (_entering_). Sir, Vrouw Krullemie has just sold her hair this morning for seventy-five cents.
_John._ Bother your Krullemie! Say, Fournichon, if your visitors are in the habit of dropping in unannounced after this fashion, we are not altogether safe here.
_Fournichon._ Well, look here, gentlemen, you suggested an idea yourselves. Your costumes for the ball must be quite ready by this time; why don’t you disguise yourselves in them?