"Hush," said Aunt Julia, "don't speak so loud. You'll wake him."
"Poor boy," said Georgina, in a half-whisper. "His eyes are wide open, though he's evidently fast asleep."
"That is always the case with somnambulists," said Uncle Sparrow. "The sleeping brain receives its impressions through the eyes, nose, and ears."
"His nose and ears are wide open also," said John.
"So they were yesterday," said James.
"A very curious instance of somnambulism came under my notice in Italy a few years ago," said Uncle Sparrow. "A very respectable young girl was found under suspicious circumstances in the chamber of an Italian noble, and the most unfavourable inferences were drawn as to her moral character in consequence. Her forthcoming marriage with a handsome young peasant was broken off, and all her old companions repudiated her. Eventually she was seen crossing a most dangerous plank over a watermill, in her petticoat body, and it became clear to all that the girl was a confirmed somnambulist. She was at once re-instated in the good opinion of her friends, and her marriage with the young peasant was celebrated with unusual rejoicings. I knew the family very well."
I looked from one to another in blank astonishment.
"Am I to suppose," said I, "that you are under the impression that I am asleep?"
"Except that his utterance is thick," said Georgina, "there is very little difference between his sleeping and waking voice."
I began to get annoyed.
