see him.)_

Oh, Jack, jack, I never thought you'd turn out such a monster as
this!

Doctor. _(surprised to see her)_ Good afternoon, _(fumbles for
his eye-glass which is hanging down his back)_

What can I do for------_(recognizes her)_ My darling wife! This
is a pleasant surprise.

Flora. _(starting up)_ Go away, you object! _(crosses R. )_ It's
not a _pleasant_ surprise, and I'm _not_ your wife any longer! I
know all--oh, Jack!

Doctor. _(aside)_ Those precious jewels have said something.
Confound them! _(advancing to her, timidly)_ My dear Flo, if you
will only give me time, I can explain everything!

Flora. _(eagerly)_ Oh, do, Jack, do! _(rushes into his arms)_

_(Enter Ruby and Pearl.)_

Ruby. _(seeing Doctor and Flo together)_ Oh, we didn't know you
were engaged.

Pearl. There's another lady wants to see you.

Flora. _(jealously)_ _Another_ lady? _(turns away)_

Doctor. _(eagerly)_ In hysterics?

Pearl. No--in a four-wheeler.

Ruby. She said she'd rung twice, but couldn't make anyone hear.

Doctor. Tupper's never awake when the bell rings. I'll discharge
that boy--at least my _half_ of him!

Ruby. I told her I'd see if you were disengaged, and she
scribbled her name on her card; here it is. _(reads)_ Miss
Susannah Sheppard!

Doctor and Flora. Auntie!

Doctor. _(to Flo)_ She mustn't see me like this--_(looks at the
dressing gown)_--and she mustn't see you _at all_, you must fly!

Flora. _(clinging to Jack, who is pale and agitated)_ Oh, Jack!
I can't go and leave you with them, _(looking at Ruby and Pearl)_
Can't you say that I'm one of your patients?

Doctor. Good idea, how clever of you. Get back there, _(on
operating couch)_

Ruby. Oh, what fun! Let's all be patients! _(nudges Pearl)_

_(Ruby and Pearl sit down and pretend to be suffering.)_

Doctor. _(to girls)_ All right! All be patients. It'll impress
auntie, _(takes off dressing-gown and flings it into bathroom,
is just going in--stops)_ No! No time to change, _(snatches his
frock coat off chair, and buttons it over his pyjamas)_ Remember!
This is the supreme moment of my life. Whatever I say to
you--whatever I _do_ to you--you mustn't mind.

Ruby and Pearl. We won't, _(stifling a laugh)_

Doctor. Hush!

_(Enter Andrew dressed as Aunt, followed by Waverly.)_

_(to Andrew)_ My dear aunt, I'm so glad to see you. Won't you sit
down? _(leads him down to sofa)_

_(Pearl runs to Waverly, and drags him down O. P. corner.)_

P