t pass.

PHOEBE. If I let it pass I am a stumbling-block in the way of true
education.

MISS SUSAN. Sister.

PHOEBE (_grandly_). Susan, stand aside.

(_Giving the cane_ ARTHUR'S _most telling flick, she marches into the
other room. Then, while_ MISS SUSAN _is listening nervously_, CAPTAIN
VALENTINE BROWN _is ushered in by_ PATTY. _He is bronzed and
soldierly. He wears the whiskers of the period, and is in uniform. He
has lost his left hand, but this is not at first noticeable._)

PATTY. Miss Susan, 'tis Captain Brown!

MISS SUSAN. Captain Brown!

VALENTINE (_greeting her warmly_). Reports himself at home again.

MISS SUSAN (_gratified_). You call this home?

VALENTINE. When the other men talked of their homes, Miss Susan, I
thought of this room. (_Looking about him._) Maps--desks--heigho!
But still it is the same dear room. I have often dreamt, Miss Susan,
that I came back to it in muddy shoes. (_Seeing her alarm._) I have
not, you know! Miss Susan, I rejoice to find no change in you; and
Miss Phoebe--Miss Phoebe of the ringlets--I hope there be as little
change in her?

MISS SUSAN (_painfully_). Phoebe of the ringlets! Ah, Captain Brown,
you need not expect to see her.

VALENTINE. She is not here? I vow it spoils all my home-coming.

(_At this moment the door of the other room is filing open and_ PHOEBE
_rushes out, followed by_ WILLIAM SMITH _who is brandishing the cane_.
VALENTINE _takes in the situation, and without looking at_ PHOEBE
_seizes_ WILLIAM _by the collar and marches him out of the school._)

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, did you see who it is?

PHOEBE. I saw. (_In a sudden tremor._) Susan, I have lost all my
looks.

(_The pupils are crowding in from_ MISS SUSAN'S _room and she orders
them back and goes with them_. VALENTINE _returns, and speaks as he
enters, not recognising_ PHOEBE, _whose back is to him._)

VALENTINE. A young reprobate, madam, but I have deposited him on the
causeway. I fear--

(_He stops, puzzled because the lady has covered her face with her
hands._)

PHOEBE. Captain Brown.

VALENTINE. Miss Phoebe, it is you?

(_He goes to her, but he cannot help showing that her appearance is a
shock to him._)

PHOEBE (_without bitterness_). Yes, I have changed very much, I have
not worn well, Captain Brown.

VALENTINE (_awkwardly_). We--we are both older, Miss Phoebe.

(_He holds out his hand warmly, with affected high spirits._)

PHOEBE (_smili