. _(hand up, listening)_ I must apologize to her! No, I
simply daren't, _(comes down C.)_ It was such an awful thing to
do, I'll--I'll wait till Flo comes out to--to tell me how
she is. _(listens)_ No, I can't. I know! I'll go to her in my
professional capacity! _(puts on high hat, and does to door, just
going to knock, looks at pyjamas)_ I can't go in these. Where
are my trousers? _(looks round)_ Of course, in there! _(points
to bathroom)_ I know! I'll go to ask for my trousers! _(same
Bus.--about to knock)_ No that's a silly idea! I'm losing
my wits, _(comes down C. and sits at writing table)_ Suppose
something happens to her? There'll be an inquest, and it'll be
all in the papers: "Brutal Conduct of a West End Doctor.." Oh, my
cup of misery is full!

_(Enter Aurora with telegram.)_

Aurora. _(to Doctor)_ Here you are, doctor--a telegram for you,
sir. We are busy to-day!

Doctor. _(opens telegram, starts, aside)_ From my father-in-law.
_(reads to himself)_ "Have learnt from local registrar your
cowardly conduct in eloping with my daughter--am on my way to
London to horsewhip you."

Aurora. _(cheerily)_ Any answer, sir? _(C.)_

Doctor. _(gloomily)_ No! It's nothing--only an appointment--I
shan't keep it.

Aurora. Don't look so sad, sir.

_(Music upstairs heard off, some appropriate music-hall tune.)_

You go h'upstairs to the tea-fight. 'Ere's yer invite. _(takes
card off mantel)_ There's plenty to eat and drink and nothin' to
pay; you done quite enough work for one day, sir.

Doctor. Quite!

_(Bath-room bell rings.)_

Aurora. _(mystified)_ That's your bath-room bell a-ringing, sir.

Doctor. _(funereally)_ Yes! Answer it.

Aurora. _(hesitating)_ Who's inside, sir?

Doctor. Two ladies.

Aurora. Two of 'em--oh, doctor!

_(Enter Flo, from bath-room, with bundle of Aunt's clothes,
dripping wet.)_

Doctor. _(penitently)_ My dear Flo, let me help you!

Flora. _(indignantly to Doctor)_ Don't touch me! I wonder
you aren't ashamed to. This is your work! _(crosses to Aurora
quietly)_ Take these, and dry them as quickly as possible!

Doctor. Flo! My darling, won't you give me one word?

Flora. Brute!

_(Exit Flo. into bathroom, banging door after her.)_

Doctor. Got it!

Aurora. Oh, sir, what 'ave you been a-doin' of?

Doctor. Don't ask silly questions. Do as you're told. I don't
know what it is, but do it!

Aurora. _(aside)_ If the missus sees these she'll turn the dear
doctor into the street