ssus told me to watch for
an opportunity.

(Exit DIBBS, L. U. E.

SEL. She says she knows I must be ill or I would come to
her--she will be here in an hour! Horror upon horror's head!
No address again! Oh, why won't women complete their letters?
(Re-enter DIBBS, L. U. E.) Dibbs, where's the messenger?

DIBBS. Gone, sir!

SEL. Perhaps I could catch him--I'll do a bit of sprinting!
(Rushes off, C.)

DIBBS. Hi! sir, I never told you which way he went! (Rushes
after him, C.)

Enter BLITHERS, L. U. E., with hat as before.

BLITH. Thank you! Thank you, my good girl, don't trouble,
I know the way! Sir, I--nobody here! Well, I must wait.
(Puts hat down on chair in front of secretaire and seats
himself on sofa.) This time I will _not leave_ without my own
hat. I can't attend at Dr. Swishby's in this! The boys would
pelt me! I have already missed two private lessons and my wife
has been blowing me up as high as a kite. (Puts hat on chair
L. of table R.)

Enter CAPTAIN KATSKILL, L. U. E.

CAPT. K. (he speaks with slight Irish accent). There he is!
Now for it! Charge!

BLITH. (seeing CAPTAIN KATSKILL). Hullo! an arrival!

CAPT. K. Sir, I salute you!

BLITH. (most politely). Sir, I do ditto! (They bow.)

CAPT. K. A quare collection of fatures to have on one face.
What of that? It's the daughter I want, not the father.

BLITH. (aside). This must be Mr. Selwyn's son, I presume!

CAPT. K. Excuse me want of boldness----

BLITH. Not at all! Fine day?

CAPT. K. Sor, it is within your power to make it the finest
day of all me life!

BLITH. Eh? (Aside.) An excitable young man! (Aloud.)
How's your father?

CAPT. K. When we last heard from Ballybog--that was two
weeks ago----

BLITH. Two weeks!

CAPT. K. You know he was over there, did you not?

BLITH. I cannot say I did! (Aside.) It isn't Selwyn's son
at all! (Aloud.) Might I inquire your name, sir?

CAPT. K. Didn't ye know it? Captain Katskill, of the
55th--the fighting 55th!

BLITH. (as if he recognized him). Oh! indeed, I am delighted
to hear it! (Aside.) Who is he?

CAPT. K. You can, of course, guess the object of my visit?

BLITH. Well, yes--and on the other hand _no_! (Aside.) He
evidently knows _me_. (Aloud.) Of course, I should be in a
better position to answer if----

CAPT. K. Sir, excuse egotism, but in such a position as
mine it is necessary to