to find her husband----

Plant. Your greatest friend?

Doctor. Er--precisely!

Plant. _(aside)_ It's that lieutenant in the navy. I must
remember that.

Doctor. And she came straight to me, and she had a fit of
hysteria and she fell----

Plant. Fell?

Doctor. Yes--in my arms.

Plant. Sir!

Doctor. Fainted--fainted! And now she's lying down, and the
question is, when she recovers, where is she to go?

Plant. Go? To her husband, of course! Where is he?

Doctor. Ah, that's the question!

Flora. _(aside, popping her head out)_ I've got the cramp! I
shall shriek in a minute.

Plant. _(aside)_ I'll put him under an obligation, _(to
Doctor--effusively, loudly)_ My dear cousin, my door is
ever open to the weary wanderer, and if the fair owner of that
hat----

Doctor. No, no! It's very kind of you, but I won't hear of it.
The fair owner of that hat is perfectly comfortable where she is.

_(Doctor and Plant up.)_

Flora. Ooh! _(sits up)_

TABLEAU.

She's not a bit comfortable where she is, Doctor Sheppard!

Plant. _(aside)_ Ah, the old story! _(crosses R. of table)_

Flora. I've got pins and needles.

Doctor. My poor child, let me----_(goes to her O. P. side of
table)_

Flora. Go away--don't touch me. _(lies on couch, rubbing her leg,
aside to Doctor)_ I'm not your poor child any longer. I shall get
the registrar to cancel our certificate.

Plant. _(to Doctor. who comes down C., looking miserable)_ So
that's your anatomical model, eh? Your friend's wife? You Don
Juan! _(digs him in ribs. In his ear)_ "These things cost money,
you know." _(laughs--to Doctor)_ If it comes to a divorce, look
me up. I'll pull you through on reduced terms.

Doctor. No, no, you don't understand.

_(To Flo, who comes down between them)_

Are you all right now?

Flora. _(coldly, crossing from him to Plant)_ Yes, thank you,
Doctor Sheppard. _(aside)_ Now I'll find out all about Jack and
these precious jewels! _(crosses r. to Plant)_ I accept your kind
offer of hospitality, sir.

_(Doctor pulls Flo to him, she gets away, and sits down r.)_

Plant. _(aside)_ He'll have to marry my daughter after this,
_(goes to Flo)_

Doctor. _(aside)_ I hate letting her go with Plant. but P'raps
it's the best way out. Anyway she'll not see auntie, I must get
'em oft before she comes, _(to Plant)_ My fairy prince, how can I
thank you for this double act of kindness?

_(Slaps him hard on the back--Plant doubles up with lumbago.)