give me----

Aunt. Hold your tongue sir, I won't give you anything _(L. C.)_

Aurora. Give 'im a chance, mum, that don't cost nothin'--_(end of
sofa)_

Aunt. Silence, the pair of you!

Aurora. _(taking Doctor's arm--looks up at him lovingly)_ "The
pair of us!"

Aunt. You shameless Don Juan; you've bragged to me about your
goings on with two sailor girls----

Aurora. 'Tain't 'is fault, mum, they will kiss 'im! _(c.)_

Aunt. Silence! You're breaking the heart of that dear girl
in there, _(pointing to bathroom)_ Who's worth a hundred such
creatures as _you_--a murderer who tried to drown his own aunt!

Aurora. Drown yer! Why, the dear doctor wouldn't drown a kitten,
and you ain't no kitten, 'Amlet!

Aunt. _(furious)_ And to crown all--I find you in the arms of
this----

Aurora. This! Who are you callin' "this?"

Aunt. A disreputable Pimlico lodging-house kitchen girl!
_(crosses R. and back again)_

Aurora. 'Ere! Cheese it! I may be a kitchen girl, but I ain't
disreputable!

Aunt. _(very furious)_ There's only one thing left for you to do,
sir.

Doctor. _I_ know--the water cure!

Aunt. You shall marry this girl, sir.

Aurora. _(in a dream)_ Marry the dear doctor!

Doctor. _(aghast)_ Marry--Aurora!

_(Aurora turns away delighted.)_

_(aside)_ I'd rather drown myself! _(crosses R. corner)_ Aunt.
Yes, and I'll make you do it. _(with scorn)_

She's a fit---

Aurora _(surprised--kneels)_ Oh, thank you for those blessed
words, mum! You darlin' lady! I'll go and see to your clothes
now, auntie! _(going, comes back)_ Kiss me, Jack! Kiss your
Financy!

_(Doctor leans with his back to table--Aurora climbs up on table
and kisses him.)_

_(aside)_ I'm a lady at larst!'

_(Exit Aurora.)_

Aunt. Who's that poor girl in there? _(pointing to bathroom)_

Doctor. _(absently)_ Oh, that is Miss Garden.

Aunt. _(seating herself end of sofa, and putting rug over her,
aside)_ She shall come and live with me! I know what it is to
have loved a worthless man! _(looks severely at Doctor)_ I pity
her!

Doctor. _(very timidly)_ Aunt, may I explain? I'm
not----_(crosses to sofa)_

Aunt. _(loudly)_ Silence, sir!

_(Enter Plant with bag, hurriedly, shown in by Tupper.)_

Plant. _(not seeing Aunt, meets Doctor going towards door)_ Bear
up, Jack, I've bad news for you--Miss Garden's bolted--gone back
to her husband, I'm afraid.

Aunt. Her husband?

Plant. _(staggered, recovers himself)_ My dear Miss Sheppar