.)
Yes!

FRED. Yes!

MRS. S. Why not have said so at first, dear?

SEL. Oh, I was going to, but Dibbs put me out! (Aside to
DIBBS.) You shall have a sovereign for that taradiddle!

DIBBS (aside to SELWYN). It was _the truth_!

SEL. So it was! I withdraw my generous offer.

MRS. S. (rapturously gazing at hat). And to think that hat
has probably covered the head of the author of "Midnight Moans."

FRED (aside to SELWYN). Do you know how many Tompkins's
there are in the directory? Two hundred and eighty-nine!

SEL. (taken aback). Two hundred and eighty-nine?

MRS. S. Where does the poet Tompkins live!

SEL. (repeating mechanically). Two hundred and eighty-nine!

MRS. S. Two hundred and eighty-nine--in what street?

SEL. Street--what street?

MRS. S. Why the street where Mr. Tompkins lives!

FRED. Well, I don't know exactly.

MRS. S. You don't know! Then how could you be going to take
it back?

FRED (aside to SELWYN). What shall I say?

DIBBS (aside). They want _me_ again! (Aloud.) Oh! ma'am,
Mr. Bellamy was going to take it to the club--Mr. Tompkins's
address is sure to be known there!

(Exit, R. U. E.

MRS. S. I see! If at the same time, Mr. Bellamy, you could
inquire if it was the talented Tompkins who wrote the "Frozen
Tear," I should be obliged.

SEL. (impatiently). Yes! yes, but we must not keep Frederick!
Remember the gentleman is hatless all this while. _Do_ be off,
Bellamy, my boy!

FRED (aside). I suppose I must, but if ever I save anybody's
life again, may I be----

SEL. Don't dawdle, dear boy--don't dawdle!

(Exit FRED, hurried off by SELWYN, door in flat.

GRACE. _Now_, ma, I hope you will speak----

MRS. S. Yes, my child--yes!

SEL. At last he has gone, the ill-omened hat has left my
house I hope never to return!

FRED (rushing in again). Forgotten the directory!

SEL. Oh!

MRS. S. What directory?

SEL. Here it is! (Throwing it at FRED, who catches it.)

MRS. S. What does Fred want that for?

SEL. Amusement, mere amusement, to pass the time in the
cab--_you_ read, my dear, when _you_ travel!

MRS. S. But _I_ read poetry!

SEL. What does it signify--poetry or directory, a mere matter
of detail--tastes differ--he likes directory! (Aside to FRED.)
Get out or I shall have a fit!

FRED. But you know I have not had my breakfast yet!

SEL.