uldn't forget that I had saved his life, no,
I mean that _he_ had saved _mine_! (Calling off, L.) Ain't
you ready? (Aside.) He shall be repaid for this! One of these
days. I shall be able to grasp him by the hand and say--(calling
off.) What the devil are you doing?

Re-enter FRED, L. 2 E.

FRED. Don't shout! Here I am!

SEL. At last!

Enter DIBBS, quickly, R. 2 E.

DIBBS. There's a cab just driven up to the door, sir. I
think it's the missus!

SEL. (to FRED). Off you go! You have the letter? (Going,
L.) Not that way, you will meet her! Remember the directory,
and above all don't forget the name "Tompkins." It's engraven
in letters of enormous size on my heart. Get the same done
on yours!

(Exit FRED, door at back.

SEL. Now to hoodwink the wife! (Sitting down and taking
newspaper). I must meet her eye without flinching. (Enter
MRS. SELWYN and GRACE, at door in flat.) Ah, my dear, _so_
glad to see you back! (He kisses wife and daughter.)

MRS. S. Have you been dull, Sam dear!

SEL. (most emphatically). Dull! _Miserable!_ Regularly
downright, positively wretched.

MRS. S. I didn't expect to find you up so soon as this.

SEL. No! I shouldn't have been only--only----(Searching
for an excuse.)

DIBBS (chiming in, R.). Only the master went to bed so
_early_ last night!

SEL. (aside to DIBBS). Shut up!

DIBBS (aside to SELWYN). Leave it to me, governor. I'll
pull you through!

MRS. S. For all that, you look anything but well, you are
quite pale and haggard--it's a most extraordinary thing that
whenever I go to aunt's for a day or two I always find you
looking bad when I return.

SEL. (forcing smile). Yes! it's the--the----

DIBBS (striking in). It's the toothache!

GRACE (sympathetically). Oh! papa dear, have you had the
toothache?

SEL. Yes, my dear. (Aside; vexed.) He's given me the
toothache now! I'll give _him_ something presently! (Aloud.)
Ah, and how is your aunt, dear aunt Betty? Is the gout in her
foot better?

MRS. S. Gout! You mean her asthma!

SEL. Gout--asthma! Asthma--gout, just the same, it's only
a detail! All through my indigestion; it affects my memory.
Had it awful!

MRS. S. Oh! I am _so_ sorry, dear! You _are_ looking queer!
Can we do anything, for you?

SEL. Yes, no, it's the weather--so hot, you know.

MRS. S. Hot! I thought it chilly!

SEL. Ah! It may have been chilly where