Dash it all! I am quite nervous.
This will never do.

Must find a way--good effect--cool and collected stuff." So, ruminating and praying and moving ever more slowly, he reached the door.

Coming in sight of his party, he hurried to meet them.
"Awfully sorry!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"The most rotten luck! Old Maitland's just been called off." "Called off!" cried Patricia, in dismay.

"Where to!" "Now, don't jump at me like that.