where they are not wanted!

FRED. Excuse me!

MRS. S. Especially after such deceit which has luckily been
discovered in time; of course we cannot argue with you if your
own sense of honor does not prompt you to do what is right.

FRED (puzzled). Really, Mrs. Selwyn, you must be more
explicit!

MRS. S. We have said all that need be said to anyone with
a spark of proper feeling. Good day, Mr. Bellamy!

GRACE (imitating her mother). Good day, sir! (They courtesy
very formally and go out, L. U. E.)

FRED (following them he has door slammed in his face, then
putting down hat and Directory). What _does_ this mean? I'm
sent on a wild goose chase after a confounded Tompkins and on my
return I am coolly snubbed by the wife and daughter of the man
for whom I am slaving! I won't put up with it! No! Thirty-seven
Tompkinses have I tracked to their several and respective
abodes. Most of them lived at the top of the houses, too!
(Noting card left by BLITHERS.) What's this, "Bosco Blithers!"
What does it mean? He's my Lottie's father-in-law--what can
_he_ want here? Pshaw! He can't have called here at all,
I must have dropped the card myself! (Sitting down again, L.)

SEL. (entering exhausted, C.). I'm done up! They ought not
to be allowed to make such long streets. (He sits.) Hullo!
Do you know where that Dibbs is?

FRED. Not the least idea!

SEL. (wiping his forehead). I want to know if a young--a
female has been here for me--have you seen one?

FRED. How the deuce can I tell? Haven't I just returned
from my Tompkins's hunting?

SEL. I thought I saw her in a cab and ran a mile before I
could get a peep inside. Oh, Fred! old man, if you knew how my
heart was aching, and my corns were shooting, you would pity me!

FRED. Look here, Mr. Selwyn, I can't stay here to hound
down the entire Tompkins's tribe. I shall leave town to-night!

SEL. What? Desert me in the moment of danger?

FRED. I'm no welcome guest in this house--the ladies don't
like me!

SEL. Not like you! They _must_ like you, they shall dote
on the very ground you walk on!

FRED. I don't expect that, but I object to being openly
snubbed.

SEL. Oh, it will soon blow over--don't take any notice--it's
their way--mere whim--women are so whimmy!

FRED. But you know when it comes to----

SEL. (rising and crossing to him). I apologize! There!
I don't know _what_ they did, but whatever it was I profess
the utmost re