harshly!
But it was all a misunderstanding! (To SELWYN.) You quite
comprehend, don't you? The gentleman _said_ he was already
engaged to my girl; that's why I consented. You are _sure_
you understand?

SEL. (aside). I can't say I do--but that's a detail.

BLITH. So I have come back to see him--besides, I want
my hat.

SEL. (aside). He seems very fond of his old headgear.

DIBBS (entering). Not there, sir!

BLITH. Dear! Dear! How unfortunate! My girl made me
promise not to come back this time until I could bring her
some good news.

SEL. (to DIBBS). Look in the other rooms.

DIBBS. Yes, sir.

(Exit DIBBS, R.

SEL. Do you set much value on your loss?

BLITH. My daughter's happiness is at stake!

SEL. (aside). His daughter's happiness concerned in the
recovery of his old hat! (Aloud.) Ah! Been in the family a
long time? I suppose a kind of heirloom?

BLITH. I never knew a man termed an heirloom before!

SEL. I am speaking of your hat.

BLITH. Oh! I was referring to Fred.

SEL. Fred!

BLITH. The poor child has opened her heart to me--and says
she has written to him, asking him to seek me out, but he
seems to deny all knowledge of the letters.

SEL. The letters? (A suspicion crossing his mind.)

BLITH. The messenger says he gave them to a servant here.
(Goes, L.)

Enter DIBBS.

SEL. (aside). Messenger! Letters! It is getting worse and
worse! This Tompkins must be the father of the girl Lottie
who wrote to me!

DIBBS (re-entering, C.). No signs, sir!

BLITH. (to DIBBS). Oh! Do you know anything, young man, of
any letters left here to-day? (DIBBS looks across at SELWYN,
who is making signs to him.)

BLITH. Why don't you listen?

DIBBS. The master was making signs----

SEL. (angrily). Making signs! I? (Makes more signs.) Bosh!

BLITH. The letters were addressed to Mr. Frederick Bellamy
and came from a young lady----

SEL. (aside). More proof! This _must_ be my incognita's
parent!

DIBBS. Oh! Yes! I took them in right enough! (To SELWYN,
who continues to gesticulate.) What's the matter, sir? Is it
_fits_ coming on?

SEL. (aside). I should like to strangle him!

BLITH. (to DIBBS). What did you do with them?

DIBBS (pointing to SELWYN). I gave them to the governor!

SEL. To me!! (Aside.) Get out, or I will discharge you!

DIBBS (aside). More of it! This is a good-tempere