married 'er, I'm the
miserablest girl in all Pimlico--South Belgraviar, I mean,
_(jumps down)_

Doctor. _(turning round and seeing her)_ What on earth are you
doing? Do you want to bring the house down?

Aurora. I can't 'elp my weight, sir.

Doctor. _(smiling)_ What a swell you look, Aurora!

Aurora. _(effusively)_ 'E's seen my combs--my diamond combs,
_(shakes head to make them sparkle)_

Doctor. _(laughing)_ Did Mrs. O'Hara give you those paste things
to wear for her party?

Aurora. _(disappointed)_ No, sir, they _ain't_ for Mrs. O'Ara,
and they _ain't_ pastry things, _(aside)_ 'E don't know diamonds
when 'e sees 'em!

Doctor. They're like those in my aunt's picture.

Aurora. _(joyfully)_ Is that your h'aunt, sir?

Doctor. Yes.

Aurora. Ho! I h'am glad! _(aside)_ There's 'ope, there's 'ope!

Doctor. But those combs have gone out since that picture was
painted; you're a long way behind the times--a long way.
_(bursts out laughing and rushes out)_ Ha! ha! ha!

_(Exit Doctor. R. I.E.)_

Aurora. _(alone, sobbing)_ I'm "gorn out"--"be'ind the times,"
there's no 'ope, I shall never wear 'em again--_(takes them off)_
But I'll 'ave 'em buried with me. _(pockets them)_ I shall die an
old maid now--I can't wait till Tupper's growed up. Oh, it's an
'ard world for us maids, a very 'ard world!

_(Exit Aurora. sobbing, L.U.E.)_

Aunt. _(heard off)_ Is Doctor Sheppard in?

Aurora. _(heard off, sobbing)_ I'll see, mam, I'll s-ee!

_(Enter Aurora. followed by Aunt Susannah.)_

Aunt. _(to her)_ What's the matter with you, my good girl? _(c.
up stage)_

Aurora. _(sobbing)_ N-othin', mum. We're a b-bit b-busier to-day
than usual, that's all.

Aunt. Is this the doctor's consulting room? _(looks round with
affectionate interest--sits at his table)_ Aurora. One of 'em,
mum--I expect 'e's in one of the h'inner rooms, engaged with some
patients, 'e's always very busy on a Friday--you couldn't 'ave
picked a worse day to come and see the great Doctor. 'Ave you got
an appointment?

Aunt. I wrote to him. He expects me about this time.

Aurora. Oh! _(Bus.--mimicking her intonation)_ Then I'll tell
him. _(knocks at door R.I.E.)_ A lady to see you, sir.

Doctor. _(heard off)_ All right! Tell him to take a chair.

Aurora. _(at door)_ It ain't an 'im, it's an 'er!

Doctor. _(heard off, laughing)_ Oh, then tell _her_ to take the
couch.

_(Aunt crosses L.C., looks at tea-table.)_

Aurora. _(aside)_ The h'operating