aside)_ Well, it ain't _my_ fault if 'e don't get on! I
says all I can!

_(Exit Tupper R. I. E. above table.)_

_(Enter Ruby and Pearl. shown in by Aurora--they don't see
Aunt.)_

Aurora. I'll tell the Doctor. _(goes towards bath-room door)_

_(Splashing heard.)_

He's very busy--but----

_(Louder splashing.)_

Ruby. Pray don't disturb him.

_(Bell rings.)_

Pearl. We don't want to see him _just_ yet. We'll wait

_(Exit Aurora.)_

That stupid cabman never suspected anything. He called him "Mum."

_(Both laugh.)_

Ruby. Let's bring her in now, before Jack comes in.

_(Enter Aurora. followed by Flo.)_

Aurora. I'll tell the Doctor. _(goes to bath room)_ E's _very_
busy now--but----

_(Splashing heard.)_

Flora. _(to Aurora)_ Not yet--I want to speak to these ladies
first.

Ruby. _(backing down stage astonished, to Pearl)_ Miss Garden!
What does she want to come for--and spoil our fun?

Pearl. _(to Flo)_ You said you had a headache, and were going to
lie down.

Ruby. _(to Flo)_ Yes, that was only an excuse for coming to see
Jack.

Aunt. _(aside)_ She calls him Jack!

Aurora. _(aside)_ I must 'ear this--it's all for 'im. _(stays at
back, pretending to tidy)_

Flora. It was no excuse at all. I was pulling the blind down to
darken the room, when I saw you two horrid things crossing the
road to this house--when you _said_ you were going shopping. That
was only an excuse to come and flirt with _my_ Jack!

Aunt. _(aside)_ Oh, he's _her_ Jack, is he?

Flora. And I followed you, though my head's splitting, for I love
him with all my heart, and I won't let _anyone_ come between us.

_(Aurora gasps.)_

Ruby. You brazen girl, and you're married to his greatest friend!

Flora. I'm not! _(descends on Ruby)_

Ruby. You know you are! Pa said so!

Flora. Did he? Then he basely betrayed my husband's sacred
confidence, _(crosses back again)_

Pearl. _(with sarcasm)_ Your husband's sacred confidence! If
you're really a respectable married woman, my dear Miss Garden,
instead of coming here to slander my father, you'd better go
back and lie down.

Flora. And leave you alone with my Jack? No, thank you! What are
_you_, I'd like to know? Two horrid fast girls who ran away with
two young men only this morning, and had to be locked up.

Aunt. _(aside)_ And _these_ are my nephew's _friends!_

Flora. And you picked the lock with a hairpin, and came here all
alone to flirt with my Jack!

Ruby. _Your