Barlow (impatiently, aside). Hang it! Yardsley's here too! The
man's always turning up when he's not wanted. (Aloud.) Ah! why,
Bob, how are you? What're you doing here?

Yardsley. What do you suppose--tuning the piano? I'm here because I
want to be. And you?

Barlow. For the same reason that you are.

Yardsley (aside). Gad! I hope not. (Aloud.) Indeed? The great
mind act again? Run in the same channel, and all that? Glad to see
you. (Aside.) May the saints forgive me that fib! But this fellow
must be got rid of.

Barlow (embarrassed). So'm I. Always glad to see myself--I mean
you--anywhere. Won't you sit down?

Yardsley. Thanks. Very kind of you, I'm sure. (Aside.) He seems
very much at home. Won't I sit down?--as if he'd inherited the
chairs! Humph! I'll show him.

Barlow. What say?

Yardsley. I--ah--oh, I was merely remarking that I thought it was
rather pleasant out to-day.

Barlow. Yes, almost too fine to be shut up in-doors. Why aren't you
driving, or--or playing golf, or--ah--or being out-doors somewhere?
You need exercise, old man; you look a little pale. (Aside.) I must
get him away from here somehow. Deuced awkward having another fellow
about when you mean to propose to a woman.

Yardsley. Oh, I'm well enough!

Barlow (solicitously). You don't look it--by Jove you don't.
(Suddenly inspired.) No, you don't, Bob. You overestimate your
strength. It's very wrong to overestimate one's strength. People--
ah--people have died of it. Why, I'll bet you a hat you can't start
now and walk up to Central Park and back in an hour. Come. I'll
time you. (Rises and takes out watch.) It is now four ten. I'll
wager you can't get back here before five thirty. Eh? Let me get
your hat.

[Starts for door.

Yardsley (with a laugh). Oh no; I don't bet--after four. But I say,
did you see Billie Wilkins?

Barlow (returning in despair). Nope.

Yardsley (aside). Now for a bit of strategy. (Aloud.) He was
looking for you at the club. (Aside.) Splendid lie! (Aloud.) Had
seats for the--ah--the Metropolitan to-night. Said he was looking
for you. Wants you to go with him. (Aside.) That ought to start
him along.

Barlow. I'll go with him.

Yardsley (eagerly). Well, you'd better let him know at once, then.
Better run around there and catch him while there's time. He said if
he didn't see you before half-past four he'd get Tom Parker to go.
Fine show to-ni