_(Pearl pulls him back.)_

Ruby. _(screams)_ Oh Andrew. then it's _you!!!_ What's the matter
with you?

Andrew. _(laughing)_ Nothing! Sound me if you like. _(offers
stethoscope)_

Ruby. But _why_ have you come to see a _doctor_?

Andrew. _(laughs)_ I haven't--I've brought Vane to introduce
him to my old school-fellow, dear old, serious, studious,
short-sighted, absent-minded Jack Sheppard.

Ruby and Pearl. _(together)_ You know _Jack_?

Waver, and Andrew. _(surprised)_ Jack?

Ruby. Cousin Jack! Didn't you know?

Andrew. No, you never told us you _had_ any cousins. What a
lark! Jack's my greatest friend--because we're such opposites, I
suppose. I call him Dull Boy, because "all work and no play makes
Jack------" see? Rather smart for me, and he calls me "Merry
Andrew"--Andrew Merry--Merry Andrew--see? Oh, that was Jolly
smart for Jack--only joke he ever made.

_(Ruby sits on couch--Andrew behind couch.)_

Waver. Why have you never mentioned his name?

Ruby. We haven't seen him since he was a little boy in kilts.

Pearl. We saw lots of him then, we were both of us _awfully_ in
love with him.

Ruby. And we're longing to see him again! _(pointedly)_

Andrew. _(laughing)_ Oh, are you? Well, I shan't be jealous of
_serious_ old Jack.

Ruby. _(aside)_ Oh, won't you?

_(Ruby and Pearl exchange looks, smiling.)_

Waver. Where is he?

Ruby. _(quickly)_ He won't be back till half-past--_(coyly)_ How
shall we kill time?

Andrew. I know, come and shoot tin dickie-birds at the
Aquarium--I must have exercise.

Ruby. Oh, what fun! Come along!

_(Exeunt Ruby and Andrew.)_

Waver. _(breaking away--aside)_ I shall never have the pluck to
break it to her that I've got engaged to another girl.

Pearl. _(looking at door, then at Waverly, drops Tier eyes)_
Well!

Waver. _(stands facing audience, back to writing table--to
her)_ Miss Plant. there's something I want to say to
you--something--I--I--I don't know how to _say_ it.

Pearl. _(coquettishly)_ Then don't say it. Write me a little
note, _(taps his arm, goes to table, holds up note-paper and
pen)_

Waver. Thanks awfully! _(sits and writes)_

_(Pearl walks away.)_

_(Pauses, aside, alarmed)_ Does she mean business? She's not a
lawyer's child for nothing. She might make a Breach of Promise
out of this, _(tears up letter and pockets the pieces)_ I'd
better blurt it out. _(goes to her)_ I say, it's not--er--it's
not that.

Pearl. Not what?

Waver