talk of one's self! I am an only son.

BLITH. Fortunate privilege!

CAPT. K. My father was a soldier like myself and an
honorable man----

BLITH. I do not doubt it!

CAPT. K. My grandfather was in the army, too, and known in
the Peninsula as "Devil-may-care Katskill."

BLITH. I congratulate you on your connections! (Aside.)
What does he want to be so communicative for?

CAPT. K. Your next question naturally is, "What is your
fortune? What are your prospects?"

BLITH. Sir! I would not take so great a liberty!

CAPT. K. From an uncle on my mother's side I shall come
into five hundred a year.

BLITH. Not to be sneezed at, certainly!

CAPT. K. At present I have only my pay, and about two
hundred a year from my father; but the Kilkenny Katskills were
never rich, and always better hands at drawing a sword than
a cheque. Is this an answer to your inquiries?

BLITH. (bowing). Sir, you are very polite! (Aside.) It
seems the thing in society to make known your exact financial
position! I will return the compliment. (Aloud.) Sir, I am
the fifteenth child of a score of pledges Heaven sent to bless
my parents' declining years--my early days were passed----

CAPT. K. (attempting to stop him). Oh! Don't mention it!

BLITH. (insisting). Passed at the village of
Slopton-on-the-Slushy.

CAPT. K. Do not give me a description of your past life!
(With passion.) I love your charming child!

BLITH. (astounded). What!

CAPT. K. To obtain her hand is my ardent aspiration!

BLITH. (aside). What a match for my girl. (Aloud.) Pray sit
down, sir. (Noticing that CAPTAIN KATSKILL is about to sit down
on chair by secretary where hat is placed.) But _not_ on my hat!

CAPT. K. A thousand pardons! (Politely handing it to
BLITHERS, he reads name inside.) "Selwyn," his card is at
the bottom.

BLITH. May I ask how you came to know I was here?

CAPT. K. It was your excellent wife who sent me to you.

BLITH. You have seen her? She knows about your pretensions?

CAPT. K. She honors me by her preference--as does your
jewel of a daughter.

BLITH. It's as good as settled then?

CAPT. K. I now only await _your_ consent. (Rising.)

BLITH. You have it, my boy! Bless you! (With emotion.)

CAPT. K. Oh! How can I testify my gratitude?

BLITH. By being good to the girl--for I love her as if she
were my own.

CAPT. K. As _if_ she were--Is she _not_ your own?

BLITH. I am he