"'A drop in time'-- I can't help repeating it, it's so nicely expressed.

Still, with submission to her ladyship's better judgment, Mr.Softly, the question seems now to arise, whether, if one drop in time saves nine, two drops in time may not save eighteen." Here Mrs.Baggs forgot her nerves and winked.

I returned the wink and filled the glass a second time.

"Oh, this news, this awful news!" said Mrs.
Baggs, remembering her nerves again.
Just then I thought I heard footsteps in front of the house, but, listening more attentively, found that it had begun to rain, and that I had been deceived by the pattering of the first heavy drops against the windows.

However, the bare suspicion that the same stranger who had called already might be watching the house now, was enough to startle me very seriously, and to suggest the absolute necessity of occupying no more precious time in paying attention to the vagaries of Mrs.Baggs' nerves.