“Ah! Sophia, you endeavour to comfort me by false hopes, you deceive me.”

“No, no, I do not deceive you; only hear me, instead of distracting yourself like a mad creature. I have heard talk of Frenicol, Eolipila, gags and muzzles.”

“Pray, what connection is there between Frenicol, Eolipila, muzzles, and the danger which threatens us? What business has my Toyman here, and what is a muzzle?”

“It is this, my dear. A muzzle is a machine invented by Frenicol, approved by the academy, and improved by Eolipila, who claims the honour of the invention.”

“But pray, this machine invented by Frenicol, approved by the academy, and improved by that silly fellow Eolipila.”

“Oh! you are of a vivacity that surpasses imagination. Well then, this machine being applied to a Toy, renders it discreet in spite of its teeth.”

“Can this be true, my dear?”