You'd better go down, Hiram, and meet the doctors.

_Warner_

Alice'll show them up.

_Mrs. W._

Where's that strange smell comin' from? Do you work in the other room, too, Philo? (_Goes in, left._)

_Philo_

Father ... I'm sorry about the store ... I wish I could tell you ... but what's the use? You won't believe!

(_Re-enter_ MRS. W.)

_Mrs. W._

Gracious! I couldn't breathe in there! Got to clear _something_ out before Reba comes up here. She'd have no respect for my housekeeping.

_Philo_

Reba?

_Mrs. W._

Reba Sloan. She's been asking if she couldn't come. She's just wild to see your machine.

_Philo_

Don't you ever let her up here, mother!

_Mrs. W._

But she asked me, Philo--and a neighbor's daughter, you know----

_Philo_

I thought she was away from home.

_Mrs. W._

Been back a month--walks all about right under your eyes. You ought to be _civil_, Philo.

_Philo_

I want to see Dr. Seymour. I should like to have him know what I'm doing. But if you're going to turn the whole village in here, I'll bar the door, that's all.

_Mrs. W._

My son, if you'd only interest yourself a little----

_Philo_

I'm not interested in anything nearer than thirty-five million miles!

_Warner_

What did I tell you, Mary Ann?

_Mrs. W._

I hear the doctors! Now, Philo, if you can't talk sense, don't say _anything_.

(_Enter_ SEYMOUR _and_ BELLOWS.)

_Bellows_

Good evening, Warner. How d' do, Mrs. Warner! My friend, Dr. Seymour.

_Warner and Mrs. W._

How do you do, sir!

_Bellows_

Philo, I've brought Dr. Seymour around to have a talk with you. He's down from New York for a day or two. Been sleeping any better?

_Philo_

Too much. I need all my time. I'm very glad to see you, Dr. Seymour.

(_All take seats._)

_Mrs. W._

I hope you'll excuse the looks of the room, doctor.

_Seymour_

It looks very interesting indeed to me, Mrs. Warner. The workshop of a student, and a busy one. (_To_ PHILO.) You've been working too hard, I see.

_Philo_

I'm tired, perhaps, but I am well. When a man makes a momentous discovery he is apt to be overwrought. He may not eat or sleep well for a time. He may even appear to be strange or mad.

(MRS. W. _coughs suddenly._)

_Mrs. W._