very good ear and the door's got
a very good key-hole; and by putting this (touching ear) and
that (pointing to key-hole) together, I may hear of something
to my advantage as the advertisements say.

(Exit DIBBS, R. 2 E.

SEL. Sit down, my dear boy.

FRED (yawning). If he is going to spin me one of his long
yarns I shall never keep awake! (Sits in arm chair.)

SEL. Fred, we are brothers! (Taking chair over to L.)

FRED. Not exactly----

SEL. Yes, we are! You saved my life, and from that day became
my brother. As a proof of my regard I am about to reveal to you
what I would not confide to any other man or woman in the world.

FRED. Not even to your wife?

SEL. _Not to my wife above all_ others. Fred, I have been
off the line!

FRED. A railway accident?

SEL. No! The matrimonial line. Listen! I dined at Dobbinson's
last night. I ate a good deal and I drank more, in fact,
I think I was just a leetle--a very leetle bit----(Gesture.)

FRED. "On?"

SEL. I was going to say "off" but it's a detail. I walked
home and I _think_ I whistled. I generally whistle when I'm----

FRED. "Off?"

SEL. I was going to say "on," but it's a detail. I remember
that about the Marble Arch I saw a Vision of Loveliness approach
me. The vision evidently desired me to do her a favor----

FRED. Had you ever saved _her_ life then?

SEL. No! The timid creature only wanted to be directed
to Ludgate Hill; while endeavoring to explain a short cut we
walked as far as Piccadilly together. I believe I offered to
escort her.

FRED. And she accepted?

SEL. After _much_ hesitation! We chatted and got quite
good friends and at last passed by the "Geranium," a highly
respectable establishment, where, you know they admit ladies
as well as gentlemen.

FRED. A cock and hen club!

SEL. Yes--but that's a detail--suddenly the thought struck me
to ask her if she had supped and if she would accept--(Gesture.)
She replied, no!

FRED. She refused?

SEL. No. She said, "No, I have _not_ supped!"

FRED. She accepted then.

SEL. After _much_ hesitation----

FRED (digging him in the ribs). Ah! Sly dog!

SEL. Not at all! She got quite confidential and told me
her history--how her father had been a curate and got killed
at the battle of--no, that was her brother--at any rate, the
time passed most pleasantly, when all of a sudden she asked
me my name; I