it back)_ She's coming! Lie still, do lie
still! Flo, please--for my sake! Do lie _quite_ still--

_(Flo kicks.)_

and don't kick.

_(Enter Plant.)_

Plant. My dear cousin Jack! _(putting out his hand)_ I'm so glad
to find you alone. My mission is of rather a delicate nature.

Doctor. _(aside)_ Oh, Lord! _(looks at couch nervously to Plant)_
I'm rather busy to-day. You couldn't call some other time, could
you? _(feels his pulse)_

Plant. My dear Jack, you misunderstand me--it's not me--it's my
precious jewels. I've left them lying in their room, their sobs
were distressing to hear, they are suffering terribly.

Doctor. _(aside)_ Another case! Quayle's right again! They're
flowing in.

Plant. _(aside)_ Locked up, and serve 'em right. I'll get
on better without 'em. _(aloud)_ They are both--_( sobs )_
--both----

Doctor. Two of 'em! The more the merrier! I'll come at once,
_(putting on his hat)_

Plant. No, you misunderstand me--they are simply overcome with
the way--to use their own phrase--the "affectionate" way in which
you received them this afternoon.

Doctor. _(aside)_ And Flo can hear every word. It's all up!

Plant. They can talk of nothing else.

_(Doctor pulls Plant's coat.)_

It's Jack, dear Jack, darling Jack, _(same Bus.)_ Ah, you have
robbed me of my precious jewels.

Doctor. _(glancing nervously at couch, with assumed levity)_
Nonsense!

Plant. _(indignant)_ It's not nonsense at all, it's very
_serious._ Heaven forbid that I should speak, harshly to a young
man with a rich--ahem!--future--but as their father--from
whom they have never had a secret all their blameless
lives----_(crosses R.)_ I tell you, sir, you have broken _two_
hearts in one afternoon.

Doctor. _(gloomily)_ Oh, good afternoon! _(sits at table)_

Flora. _(aside)_ I shall go home by the next train.

Plant. They're wasting the best years of their lives, and all for
you, sir--all for you! _(cross L., waves his stick excitedly)_

Doctor. _(half to himself)_ I can't commit bigamy.

Plant. I don't ask you to marry both--_(whacks)_--of them, but
one or the other you must--_(whacks)_--and _shall_--_(whacks on
table)_--after all you have said and done, _(up)_ Now, my dear
sir, _(walking about waving his stick C.)_ I speak to you as
a bachelor--_(whacks rug with walking stick)_--without
encumbrances, _(whacks)_ What have you got there? _(whacks)_

Doctor. _(gets up)_ My encumbr------er--my model! _(R. of chair)_

Pl