you were, it's been
warm _here_. In fact, yesterday was the warmest day I remember!

GRACE (aside to MRS. SELWYN). Don't forget to tell him all
about Corney!

MRS. S. (aside to GRACE). Presently, child.

GRACE. He may be here at any moment, you know! (GRACE up
C. at window.)

MRS. S. (close behind SELWYN). Sam, do _you_ know a Mr.
Tompkins?

SEL. (paralyzed by the suddenness of the question). Tom--Tom
Tompkins! (Aside.) Has she found me out?

MRS. S. (quietly). No, dear, not Tom Tompkins--Horace
Tompkins.

SEL. I never saw, heard of, or spoke to a person of that
name in all my life!

MRS. S. He's the new society poet and author of Midnight
Moans. I hear they've made quite a noise!

SEL. No doubt, but I'm not partial to moans.

MRS. S. The book was only lent me for an hour, and I am so
interested that I want Frederick to go out and buy a copy.

GRACE (aside, C., rather vexed). I think ma might speak to
pa about Captain Katskill instead of her stupid poetry!

SEL. Fred! Oh! He'll soon get it for you! Stop, though,
I forgot, he's gone out!

MRS. S. So early?

SEL. Yes. (To MRS. SELWYN, L.)

MRS. S. Ah! here he is back again!

Enter FRED quickly, at back, out of breath and with large
Directory under his arm. He puts down Directory.

SEL. (Aside). He surely cannot have tracked that Tompkins
to his lair already?

FRED. Good morning, Mrs. Selwyn, hope you have enjoyed
your trip. (To SELWYN, aside). I say, old fellow, I forgot it
after all!

SEL. (aside to FRED). Forgot what?

FRED (aside). The hat!

SEL. Horror, where did you leave it?

FRED (aside). Here! (Points to hat just as MRS. SELWYN
casually picks it up.)

MRS. S. Who's is this? (Looking inside.) Tompkins!

SEL. (aside to FRED). Claim it!

FRED (to MRS. SELWYN). It's mine!

SEL. (excitedly). Yes, it's Fred's. (He snatches it and
claps it on FRED'S head, being too large it "bonnets" him.)

MRS. S. (in astonishment). Surely, it cannot be!

DIBBS (coming between MR. SELWYN and MRS. SELWYN, aside).
I must pull them through again, or they'll make a mess of it!
(Aloud.) No, sir, _this_ is the hat you brought from the club
last night! I know it well, ma'am, name of Tompkins inside--the
master left his own behind and brought this one home instead!
Mr. Bellamy was only taking of it back. (Winks at MR. SELWYN;
aside.)

SEL. (relieved; aside). This boy's a lovely liar! (Aloud