_Hud._ Those, er--oh--ah--those--yes. Those are some of my chum's relations. [_Aside_] Ned will forgive me for the emergency.

_Burl._ [_aside over screen_]. Well, I'll be----

_Mrs. H._ I thought those were not yours, dear.

_Miss H._ They are all in costume, aren't they.

_Hud._ Yes, yes, private theatricals, you know. The Burleighs are all great on private theatricals.

[_Enter Prof. Shreedy from Hudson's bedroom._]

_Shr._ [_aside_]. Begob, I have him now.

[_Aside to Hud._] Mr. Hudson!

_Hud._ [_turning_]. What! The devil! Shreedy! What do you want here?

[_Takes him down to front._]

_Shr._ A little matter of business. Look here, cully, I want dat ten dollars you owe me for sparrin', dat's what I want. Better let me have it and not make a fuss before de ladies, see?

_Burl._ [_aside, over screen_]. Hurray, bind on Steve. Serves him right.

_Hud._ I haven't ten dollars, Shreedy. I haven't a cent. Now, do clear out, and I'll see you some other time about it.

_Shr._ Naw, some other time won't do.

_Hud._ I can't talk to you now before my family. It is bad enough to have them see you round here at all.

_Shr._ Dat's all right. Tell 'em I'm your chum. Just watch me do the n.o.bby. [_Smirks and waves his hat at ladies._]

_Hud._ [_aside_]. Oh, this is awful!

_Mrs. H._ Stephen, who is this person?

_Hud._ [_aside_]. There is no other way out of it. I can explain later [_aloud_.] This, mother, is my dear old chum, Edward Burleigh.

_Burl._ [_aside over screen_]. By gad!

_Mrs. H._ Ah, indeed, I am delighted to meet you, sir. I feel that we are old friends, already, Mr. Burleigh. I have heard so much of you.

_Shr._ Oh, yes, me and Steve is great chums, ain't we, Steve, old boy?

[_slaps Hudson on the back._] [_To Hud._] Put me on to de young one.

_Miss H._ [_aside to Mrs. H._]. Oh, Mamma, he is awful. How could Steve choose such a man to room with!

_Mrs. H._ Steve always said he was awkward with ladies, you know.

Perhaps he will improve on acquaintance.

_Shr._ [_to Miss H._]. Pleased to meet you, ma'am. How is the state of your health? 'T ain't often we see such a daisy out here, is it Steve?

[_To Hud._] Oh, I can say perlite things to a lady. You needn't be afraid, I won't disgrace yer!

_Hud._ [_aside_]. How long will this last?

_Mrs. H._ [_to Hud._]. Well, my son, I must say, your chum seems hardly the retiring, bashful young man you have always represented him to be.

_Hud._ Oh, he is, he is. That's--er--that is just what is the matter.

His shyness takes this form, you see. He is really awfully embarra.s.sed, and--er--tries to pa.s.s it off in this way.

_Mrs. H._ Curious forms of shyness.

_Hud._ Yes, very. It will pa.s.s off soon, and you will like him better when the ice is broken.

_Shr._ [_to Miss H._]. Ain't that a n.o.bby dress you got on!

_Mrs. H._ I should think the ice was at least badly cracked already.

_Hud._ [_aside_]. I must get them out of here. [_Aloud_.] Come, do let us start for the a.s.sembly.

_Mrs. H._ Well, dear, we have an extra seat in the carriage, and if Mr.

Burleigh would like to come, we will wait for him to dress. [_To Shreedy_] Won't you come with us, Mr. Burleigh?

_Hud._ [_breaking in_]. No--no--no! Ned never cares----

_Shr._ Why, sure. I'd be tickled to death. I am wid you easy. Let's go right away.

_Miss H._ Don't you want to dress?

_Shr._ What will I dress for? Begob, I can dance just the way I am as well as the next man. Wait till you see me take de flure. Oh, I'm a dandy on me toes [_ill.u.s.trates by a few steps_].

_Hud._ [_aside_]. Oh, this is too much. I shall have to tell the truth.

[_Knock on door._]

There!! _Come in!_

[_Enter Randolph, still in his ulster, with the umbrella and smoking the cigar._]

_Rand._ Well, Ned, how is----. Oh, I beg pardon! [_Starts to back out; Hudson rushes across and seizes him._]

_Hud._ Randolph! Thank Heaven! Come here. [_Takes him aside._] Jack, have you any money with you? As you love me, Jack, let me have it.

_Rand._ What the deuce is the matter? I have ten dollars in this coat, but I need it.

_Hud._ Oh, kind Providence has taken care of its own! Let me have it, I tell you. [_Randolph gives him the ten-dollar bill. Hudson rushes to Shreedy._]

_Rand._ Here is a nice position. Is Steve crazy?

_Hud._ [_aside to Shr._]. Here, you d.a.m.ned blackmailer. Here's your money. Now get out, and don't let me see you here again.