earl. Come and sit here! Pretend to be a patient! Waver. Why?

_(Pearl explains in dumb show.)_

Doctor. _(at settee to Andrew)_ I must apologize for this
worn-out attire--I'm always worn out on Friday, my worst day. I
wish you'd come _any other day_. No! I don't mean that! I mean
I'm awfully glad you've come to-day, but I'm awfully sorry I'm so
busy I can't talk to you. No, no! I don't mean that! I mean I'm
awfully glad, of course, that I'm so busy I can't talk to you!
No, no, of course I don't mean that--I mean--I don't quite know
what I do mean. You see it's Friday--oh! what a fool she must
think me! Will you excuse me just two minutes while I settle off
a few patients?

_(Trio 1st laugh--Doctor crosses quickly to them.)_

_(aside to them, softly)_ Don't laugh at her! and don't look so
beastly healthy! Look pale! Faint! Do _something!_

_(Bus.--Ruby makes a sling for her arm out of her handkerchief.)_

_(crosses quickly back to Aunt)_ I'm so sorry to keep you
waiting, my dear aunt; won't you amuse yourself with a book or
something? _(goes to couch at back, fetches "Quayle on Muscles,"
comes back quickly to Aunt, opens it)_ Here you are. _(shuts it
quickly and shies it down, aside)_ What _do_ ladies read?

_(Crosses quickly to Pearl. who is reading "Pink 'Un," snatches
it from her.)_

Thank you very much, _(crosses quickly to Aunt)_ Here you are,
aunt, this is a lady's paper! _(gives it to her and runs to Flo
at back--aside anxiously)_ I'll explain everything when they've
gone! _(loudly, holding her hand)_ Ah! your nerves are run down a
little, _(goes to medicine chest)_

_(Trio 2nd laugh.)_

Confound those Plant girls--I'll pay them out! _(flings roll of
lint at Pearl. then pours sal volatile from bottle into measuring
glass, then into tumbler, adds a little water--to Flo)_ There!
drink that! You'll soon be better.

_(During this Bus. Pearl picks up roll of lint, puts a bandage
round Waverly's face--Ruby steals across stage and kisses
Andrew--Doctor turns round just after.)_

Ruby. _(C., confused, comes to table)_ Could you take my case
next, doctor? I'm so bad!

Doctor. You are. _(Bus.--with stethoscope)_ I mean--with
pleasure! I'll write you a prescription, _(writes)_ I should
advise a long voyage with a merry companion.

_(Andrew shakes his fist at Doctor unobserved by him.)_

Better start at once, _(hands her prescription, saying aside)_
Go! _(rings bell on table)_

_(Enter Tupper.)_

Sho