_Shr._ Well, I should have enjoyed the party, but I need the money, so I'll go. [_To the others_] Ladies, I'm very sorry, but I find I have a sudden engagement, so I can't keep company wid you to de ball to-night.

I'm all broke up about it, but I hope I'll see you again. Be good to yourselves. Good-by. Good-by, Hudson, ta-ta.

[_Exit Prof. Shreedy._]

_Mrs. H._ Why, Steve, what is the matter?

_Hud._ I will explain to you some other time. Let me present Mr.

Randolph, mother, and my sister. Mr. Randolph is one of my best friends.

I _owe_ him a great deal. Are you going in to the a.s.sembly, Jack?

_Rand._ [_decidedly embarra.s.sed_]. No, I can't. There is a dress rehearsal at the Pud; a _dress_ rehearsal, you know, and I must go right round to it now. I just came in for a moment. If you will excuse----

_Hud._ Oh, nonsense! Stay a little while. Take your coat off.

_Rand._ [_aside to Hud._] Shut up, you jacka.s.s!

_Miss H._ [_looking at Randolph's rubber boots_]. Is it raining, Mr.

Randolph?

_Rand._ [_uneasily_]. No, no, not yet, no, but it looks like rain.

_Miss H._ Why, the stars were all out beautifully a moment ago.

_Rand._ Yes--er--they--er--the stars? [_With a n.o.ble effort_] Ah, yes, yes, the stars _were_ out, yes. But, er--they--er--they may go in again, you know. [_Aside_] What rot I am talking!

_Hud._ Well, it is not going to rain in here, anyway. Do take off your ulster and stay a minute.

_Rand._ Really, Steve, I'd like to, but that _dress rehearsal_, you know.

_Hud._ Oh, let the rehearsal wait. We are going in town in a moment, anyway.

_Mrs. H._ Don't leave us, Mr. Randolph.

_Miss H._ [_at mantel-piece_]. Steve, of whom is this a picture?

_Hud._ [_turning_]. Why, that is Jack himself in the last play.

_Mrs. H._ Oh, do let me see it. [_Goes to fireplace. Hudson, Miss H., and Mrs. H. stand at mantel with backs to room._]

_Burl._ [_from over the screen to Randolph_]. For Heaven's sake, Jack, hand up that ulster!

_Rand._ [_seeing him_]. What in the name--what are you doing there?

_Burl._ [_in a nervous and irritated undertone_]. Confound it, man, I haven't any clothes on. Give me the ulster, quick!

_Rand._ Hurray! Up a tree, are you? You'll talk to her while I am at the rehearsal, will you? I told you that when I met her you wouldn't be in it.

_Burl._ Give me the coat, Jack; do, there's a good fellow.

_Rand._ I'll be hanged if I will!

_Hud._ [_to his mother and sister_]. Here is Ned's room. I expect it is a chaos just at present. [_They move to door of Burleigh's bedroom, backs still to the rest of the room._]

_Burl_. Come round here. [_Steps from behind the screen, and pulls Rand.

behind_.]

Rand. [_from behind_]. All right, just for a minute. You promise to give it back. [_Burl. comes out from behind screen, with ulster on. Rand's head appears over screen_.]

_Burl_. I'll see. [_Walks towards others. Ladies turn_.]

_Mrs. H_. Pardon me, Mr. Randolph----Oh!

_Burl_. Allow me to present myself, Mrs. Hudson----

_Hud_. Ned Burleigh!

_Burl_. Quite right, this time. I am Steve's chum.

_Mrs. H_. Why, Stephen, I don't understand.

_Burl_. [_to Hud., severely_]. I do.

_Mrs. H_. Will you explain this?

_Burl_. Yes, I think you had better.

_Hud_. [_putting on a bold front_]. Well, you see, mother, it was just a little joke on Ned. Just a little joke, that is all. [_Forces a laugh_.]

_Miss H_. Then the other was not your chum?

_Burl_. Most certainly not.

_Mrs. H_. Well, I don't understand it yet. However, I am very much relieved to meet the real Mr. Burleigh.

_Miss H._ Mother, I think we had better start for the a.s.sembly.

_Mrs. H._ Where is Mr. Randolph?

_Burl._ Oh, he has just gone out.

_Miss H._ He must have left rather abruptly.

_Burl._ Yes, Jack Randolph has very queer manners. You see, he is awfully bashful.

_Rand._ [_to Burl. over the screen_]. Here, give me back that ulster.

_Burl._ [_aside to Rand._]. I'll be hanged if I will. Who is in it now, eh?

_Hud._ Well, let us be going.