. I know she will! But she shan't see 'em,
if I can 'elp it. _(hugs them closely)_ It's all for 'im! Oh,
ain't they wet, but they can't squelch the flame that's burnin'
'ere for the dear doctor. _(coming down)_ I must tell him, I
must! _(throws wet clothes down on stage)_

Mrs. O'H. _(heard off)_ H'Aurora!

Aurora. Yus, mum! _(hides clothes behind her)_

_(Enter Mrs. O'Hara.)_

Mrs. O'H. 'Ow dare you wait on lodgers as can't pay their rint?
_(by sofa)_ Go h'upstairs and wait on my lady friends.

_(Exit Aurora.)_

_(leans on back of sofa, to Doctor)_ Pardon me for callin' when
you're so busy, _(with sarcasm)_

Doctor. _(absent-minded)_ Don't mention it. Won't you sit down?
Now, what can I--oh, it's the landlady!

Mrs. O'H. Quite a _stream_ of patients!

Doctor. _(absently)_ Oh, yes! Flowing in--simply flowing in!

Mrs. O'H. I'm glad to 'ear it. If a man can't h'earn a honest
livin' at your time of life, 'e may as lief--_(hiccough)_--drown
'isself.

Doctor. _(aside)_ "Drown"--the water-cure--_my_ cure!

Mrs. O'H. I needn't remind you as it's Lady Day.

Doctor. _(picking up pile of bills)_ No, I've been reminded, but
I'm afraid I must trouble you to wait.

Mrs. O'H. _Ho, of course!_ The pore lone widder must always wait.

Doctor. I wish the lone widder would go to the devil!

Mrs. O'H. As I was just remargin' to Widder Smith, as is
honnering my party h'upstairs--

Doctor. _(rising)_ Don't let me keep you from your friends,
_(half rising)_ They'll be getting impatient.

Mrs. O'H. _(rising)_ H'impatient indeed. _(crosses C.)_ Their
company manners is just as good as _your_ friends, _I'll_
warrant. Which reminds me that Widder Smith 'as met you in
_(hiccough)_ in sassiety.

Doctor. _(absently)_ Widow Smith? _(shakes his head)_ Never heard
her name.

Mrs. O'H. Ho! of course not! _(comes to him)_ You'll say next you
never gave her a bath--_(hiccoughs)_

Doctor _(rises, astonished)_ Gave her a bath?

Mrs. O'H. _(very indignant)_ A bath bun--I was a-goin' to say,
and a cup o' coffee, at the Penny Reading--_(crosses C. again)_

Doctor. _(smiling grimly)_ Oh, I remember that Penny Reading--I
gave a comic recitation--it _was_ funny! _(sits again)_

Mrs. O'H. Fairly so, she says, 'for a hamatoor. Somethin' about
the water-cure, wasn't it?

Doctor. _(writhing)_ I believe it was. _(aside)_ The water-cure!
It's fate!

Mrs. O'H. Well, out o' charity to a pore lodger as can't pay
'is rent, I'm goin' to