fun of the other people.

DOUGLAS. In a few minutes. I must give you a chance to make fun of me!

KITTY. Oh, we've been doing that for years! [_ETHEL blows DOUGLAS'
whistle which he has suspended from neck, pulling it out of his
pocket. ETHEL and KITTY smile coquettishly at DOUGLAS and exit into
ball-room, arm in arm. Distant music off stage. DOUGLAS follows up
centre. A pause. Enter MARION. DOUGLAS, up stage, looks admiringly at
her, and smiles. Then, smiling and putting himself into a boyish
attitude, he says boyishly._

DOUGLAS. Hello, Molly!

MARION. [_Smiling back, catching his mood, speaks girlishly._] Hello,
Dug! It does take one back to old days, doesn't it!

DOUGLAS. That was what I was thinking of, Marion, the days of
dancing-school. How good you were to always be my partner, even though
I couldn't reverse without treading on your toes!

MARION. [_Smiling._] You were a bad dancer--and death to slippers.

DOUGLAS. And the children's parties, with the old games, "Post
Office," "Copenhagen," "Kiss in the Ring."

MARION. [_Smiling mischievously._] You were good enough at "Kiss in
the Ring" to make up for your not reversing.

DOUGLAS. [_With real sentiment, crosses to her._] Do you remember it
all as well as I do?

MARION. [_Realizing his sentiment, and trying to change their mood,
but pleasantly._] Of course I do! We were great friends then, as we
are now, and as I hope we always will be, Douglas.

DOUGLAS. But if we played the old games again, would it be the same?

MARION. No, no, things are never the same.

DOUGLAS. But would you let me choose you always? Would you pretend not
to see me coming, so I could slap your hands on the Copenhagen rope
and take my reward? If we played "Post Office," would _I_ have all my
letters from _your_ lips! Would you mind if, in "bow to the wittiest,
kneel to the prettiest, and kiss the one you loved best," I choose you
again, openly, for all three? Would you give me _all_ your dances?

MARION. [_More serious, though still smiling kindly, sweetly._] That's
just it, Douglas! You can reverse now, and there are so many other
girls wanting partners!

DOUGLAS. But-- [_Interrupted._

MARION. Besides, after all, we're only children _outside_ to-night;
our _hearts_ have come of age!

DOUGLAS. Yes, Marion, but, boy's and man's, my heart's the same. I
want the same partner I did then, only I want her for the game of
life!

MARION. I am so sorry!

DOUGLAS. Sorry? The