ce on a telegram, an' my clothes
owin' for.

Aurora _(aside)_ 'Ave 'is tea ready! That I will! As if I
wouldn't 'ave it ready whenever 'e comes, bless 'im! _(stuffs
telegram in bosom, then fusses about room, putting things
straight, starts scouring bureau)_

Tupper. _(watching her)_ I believe you're in love with the "Dear
Doctor." _(picks another fag end off ash-tray and lies on couch
smoking it)_

Aubora. Oh, go smoke! Little boys should be seen and not heard!

Tupper. Well, any'ow yer always tidyin' up 'is things an'
neglectin' the missus, an' yer only 'arf 'is, yer know.

_(Front door bell rings.)_

Aurora. _(snatches ladder quickly and goes to the door, saying to
herself)_ 'Arf 'is, indeed! No! It's all for 'im--all for 'im!

_(Exit Aurora. L. U. E.)_

Tupper. _(laughs)_ That's _sure_ to be for the missus. She 'as
lots o' callers. She's a widder. If I was a woman, I'd be a
widder. _(jumps off couch)_ Oh lor, if it's the tailor, _(crosses
to fire, stands back to it, legs apart)_ I wouldn't mind so much,
only I sold my old clothes to 'ave a bit on a dead cert, wot
didn't come orf--dead certs never do--I wish my clothes was a
dead cert.

_(Enter Aurora. followed by Pearl. then Ruby. then Plant. in
single file. Tupper works behind arm-chair and gets up stage and
puts out cigarette)_

Aurora. _(aside)_ Our fust! _(fussily shaking sofa cushions,
standing behind sofa)_ Take your seats, please! _(motions girls
to sit)_

_(Ruby sits r. of Pearl.)_

Make yourselves quite at home--and don't be frightened.

_(Girls turn round and stare at her.)_

'E'll treat yer kindly--'e's got sich a sorft 'and! _(soothingly
to Ruby)_ Would yer like a cup o' tea, miss, to buck yer up?
Ruby. No, thank you.

Aurora. _(to Ruby)_ Oh, the doctor allus gives 'is ladies tea.

_(Tupper, sitting on couch, bursts out laughing and shoves his
handkerchief in his mouth.)_

Pearl. No, thank you.

Plant. _(looking round)_ Is the doctor out?

Aubora. _(bustling about dusting)_ Yes, sir.

_(Girls rise.)_

--But 'e'll be back at 'arf past, if the ladies'll kindly wait.

_(Girls sit.)_

'E's been called orf to see a lady who couldn't wait.

_(Tupper same Bus.--Aurora goes to him.)_

Plant. _(coughs.)_ Ahem! That will do. _(aside)_ Fancy setting up
for a ladies' doctor in Pimlico! How can he earn bread and butter
in Marmalade Street. No. 13, too!

Aurora. _(to Tupper)_ 'Old yer row! They're lady patients. 'Appy
girls! I won