d!
_(aside to Doctor)_ What's the matter with her?

Doctor. I don't know--complicated case.

Plant. Ahem! So this joyful meeting between aunt and nephew
has taken place--how I wish I'd been here to witness it--and my
daughters, too. _(to Aunt)_ They're devoted to dear Jack. Ah, I'm
afraid the rascal means to rob me of one of my precious jewels.
He's a gray dog!

_(Doctor looks anything out gay.)_

Aunt. _(aside)_ The sailor girls. They're his daughters! _(cross
to fireplace)_ Ugh!

Plant. _(aside to Doctor)_ Is the old girl ill? What's up?

_(Doctor is silent.)_

Ah, but he'll be a great physician--ahem--some day. _(aside to
Doctor)_ When the daisies are growing over auntie, eh? _(end of
sofa)_ Aunt. _(severely)_ John!

_(Doctor doesn't move.)_

Plant. _(same tone)_ John!

_(Doctor turns.)_

Aunt. John, leave us!

_(Doctor rises as if in a dream, shakes hands with Plant at end
of sofa, and goes towards bathroom where Flo. went out.)_

John!

_(He turns.)_

Not _that_ way, sir! _(points door R. I. E.)_

_(Doctor exits below R. I. E.)_

Plant. _(aside)_ He's upset her, somehow--I wonder how? Ah, well,
I must pour oil on the troubled waters. _(to Aunt)_ A Wonderful
character--er--John. I congratulate you on having such a
nephew--he combines all the tenderness of a woman with the more
muscular qualities of a man. Did I tell you the story of his
kindness to the milkman's baby?

Aunt. _(loudly)_ Bother the milkman's baby! _(sits sofa)_

Plant. Certainly--er--bother the milkman's baby. _(aside)_ She's
strangely cross to-day.

Aunt. I told you to draw up a deed settling a thousand a year on
my nephew.

Plant. _(producing it blandly--Bus.--bag C. table)_ And I have
consumed the midnight oil to complete it.

_(He hands it to her, over back of sofa, she pitches it into the
fire--he tries to snatch it out.)_

My dear lady, that document's worth a lot of money! _(rushes
round sofa)_

Aunt. Let it alone!

Plant. _(aside)_ It's all off!

_(Aunt is poking vigorously, she hits Plant on purpose----)_

_(hops away, rubbing his leg)_ I'm in a damned awkward corner.
My dear Miss Sheppard, I fail to comprehend the meaning of your
action. If ever there was a gentleman Sheppard it's your dear
nephew.

Aunt. Tell that to the--the--milkman's baby. I could tell you a
story of my nephew that would freeze your blood, _(gesticulates
with poker)_

Plant. You astound me--any insanity in the family?

Aunt.