rush back and sit one on each
side of Doctor. cuddling close to him, each holding one of his
hands.)_

Doctor. _(to them)_ Father's back? Oh, yes, I know, _lumbago!_
I'll cure it.

_(Enter Plant.)_

Plant. Ah, here you are, my precious jewels!

_(Doctor rises, girls rise with him, still holding his hands.)_

Sir, accept a father's thanks!

_(Holds out his hand, which Doctor cannot take--Bus. then girls
release him--shaking Doctor's hand.)_

Forgive my harshness this afternoon--a father's feelings, you
know.

Doctor. On the contrary, you ought to forgive _me_--I know now
how much I owe you--my fairy prince!

_(Girls laugh and sit on sofa.)_

Plant. _(quickly)_ Hush! Not before the girls! _(goes to them,
stands back of sofa)_ My precious jewels, how thankful I am to
find you safe and well, _(aside)_ I'll give it you when I get
you home. I know _all!_ _(to Doctor)_ Two dear girls, Doctor.
who have never given me a moment's uneasiness all their blameless
lives, _(aside to Ruby)_ Have you settled? Which is it to be?

Ruby. _(aside to him)_ Me.

Pearl. _(aside to him)_ And me too!

Plant. _(savagely to Pearl)_ I shall lock you up in our room,
miss, for the rest of the day.

Ruby. _(ruefully)_ Oh, papa, how unkind!

Plant. _(aside to Ruby)_ And you too! _(aside)_ I can get on
better without you. _(to Doctor. stroking their hair)_ Ah,
Doctor. the man who would dare to rob me of my precious jewels,
Ruby and Pearl. will have much to answer for.

Doctor. Don't distress yourself, no man would be so heartless,
_(looking through microscope)_

Plant. Ahem! Not such a fool as he looks! These girls are no
match for him. I must get him alone. _(aloud)_ Well, Doctor. we
mustn't waste your precious time; I see you're busy.

Doctor. No, no, not on a Friday, to-morrow's my day. _(nearly
dances, checks himself, aside--to Plant)_ Besides I'm expecting
an old school fellow directly, he's a lieutenant in the navy, and
my greatest friend.

_(Consternation of Ruby and Pearl.)_

You _must_ stop.

Plant. My dear Jack, we should be charmed to meet any friend of
yours, but really during our short stay in town we have so many
engagements, _(to Ruby)_ Say good-bye and kiss him!

Ruby. I have kissed him once. _(rises)_

Plant. Good! Do it again for luck!

_(Pearl crosses towards Doctor)_

Not you! _(stops her)_

Pearl. _(to Plant)_ I wasn't going to.

Plant. I wouldn't trust you.

Pearl. Good-bye, Doctor. I wish