months' imprisonment.

_Matt._ Poor Harriet! But of course if her gray matter went and got
watery----

_Prof._ Just so! I maintain that with her gray matter in that condition
it was a stupid crime to send her to prison.

_Dolly._ [_Looking round from desk._] But what are we to do with people
whose gray matter goes wrong?

_Prof._ I propose to deal with that question at Edinburgh. [_To_ MATT.]
You might, perhaps, care to run down to Edinburgh for my lectures----

_Matt._ I should love it above all things; but the fact is, I'm so
thoroughly of your opinion----

_Prof._ Are you?! I'm delighted I've convinced you.

_Matt._ Completely. All my life I've been doing things I should never
have dreamed of doing if my gray matter had done its duty and not got
watery.

_Harry._ [_Begins._] Yes, when you come to think of all the rotten
things you find yourself doing, you feel, by Jove----

[_Suddenly recalls that he has said "by Jove," and being near the
collection-box, he quietly pulls sixpence out of his pocket and
drops it in._

_Matt._ Bravo, Harry! [_Patting him._

_Harry._ Oh, I mean it!--Professor, isn't it time for our hundred up?

_Prof._ [_Taking out watch._] In two minutes.

_Harry._ I'll go and get the balls out and chalk the cues. [_Going up to
door._] Doll, [_taps the writing-desk_] you put it off after
tea--by-and-by, you know!

_Dolly._ [_She has finished letter, has risen, and closed
writing-desk._] By-and-by.

_Harry._ Before we go to bed--don't forget.

_Dolly._ Oh, I sha'n't forget.

[_Makes a wry face. Exit_ HARRY.

_Prof._ Renie, you were complaining of headache. It would be wise to
take a short stroll in the cool air.

_Renie._ Oh, very well.

_Prof._ Wrap up thoroughly. Ten minutes, not longer.

[_Exit._ DOLLY, _unseen by_ RENIE _and_ LUCAS, _slips the note she
has been writing into_ MATT'S _hands. He takes it down stage,
right, and reads it._ RENIE _and_ LUCAS _have been talking, apart;
they move towards the door to get out, but_ DOLLY _is standing in
the way of their exit._

_Dolly._ Oh, Renie! I'll put on my things, and come with you.

_Renie._ But Captain Wentworth has offered----

_Dolly._ I've a splitting headache--I must get a little air. And Dad
wants to have a talk with Lucas, don't you?

_Matt._ If he can spare five minutes.

_Lucas._ Won't by-and-by be just as convenient?

_Dolly._ [_Facing_ LUCAS, _speaking firmly._]