'am, you make me blush!

MRS. S. Do I? (Rapturously.) Blush on, oh! blush on, genius
of the goosequill!

BLITH. I never use them! Give me a good "Falcon" pen.

MRS. S. Would it be too much to ask you to spare me one
of your old pens--one with which you had dashed off some
sweet sonnet!

BLITH. (aside, uneasily). There's lunacy in the family!

MRS. S. I have known many Tompkins's, but all were common
creatures.

BLITH. (aside). What does she mean? (Aloud.) No doubt, mum,
so have I!

MRS. S. Would you, I tremble to ask it, but, oh!--would
you mind writing something in my poor little album?

BLITH. (hesitating). Well, mum----

MRS. S. I know it's asking too much--but just one line--one
little line!

BLITH. Well, while I was about it, I might as well dash off
a page or two!--you know I have several styles. (Flourishing
hand as if holding pen.)

MRS. S. I know! I know! Liquid lava runs from your pen
as fluently as icy sarcasm. Excuse me one moment. (Aside.)
I will fetch my album and get him to compose an impromptu
while he is in the mood.

(Exit MRS. SELWYN, R. 2 E.

SEL. (gratefully). Thanks for your generous silence! Had
my wife an inkling about the events of yesterday my future
would be blasted. Where do you live, sir?

BLITH. Oh! In Bond street--same place where you have sent
my hat.

SEL. (anxiously). Time is short now, but to-morrow I will
call and make every reparation in my power, if an apology will
be accepted.

BLITH. Apology! (Aside.) How very polite! (Aloud.) No!
no apology! (SELWYN attempts to follow him.) No. I'll not hear
of it! (Very blandly.) Good morning!

(Exit, door at back.

SEL. (sinking into chair, R.). No apology! I see he's bent
on blood! How I hate these deliberate duelists that never show
the passion that sways their innermost souls! (Starting up.)
What shall I do?

Enter MRS. SELWYN with book, R.

MRS. S. Here's the album, Mr. Tom--(Looking round.) Oh!
Sam, why did you let him go? He may never call again!

SEL. I hope not!

MRS. S. (piqued). If _you_ don't care for poetry _I_
do! (Going to where BLITHERS sat.) This chair shall not be
used by unappreciative persons--I will have the seat taken
out and framed!

Enter TILLY, at back.

TILLY. Please, sir, there's a young gentleman in the hall
wants to speak to you; this is his card!