ng the box from his
trouser pocket, and trying to strike one._) You see?

SHE. (_With a forced laugh_) Lord Brookfield, don't deny that you
saved my life!

HE. That is what I am trying to do.

SHE. (_Frigidly_) I beg your pardon?

HE. I jumped in without thinking. It was the natural thing to do:
I heard you scream for help. But the moment the water came to my
waist I knew that if it went any deeper I should have to call for
help also.

SHE. Well?

HE. I was spared that humiliation: the pond isn't over three feet
deep in any place. And I waded the whole twenty feet from one end
to the other. . . . And I _can't_ swim.

SHE. But I was drowning! Drowning!

HE. (_Politely_) Are you in the habit of drowning often?

SHE. (_Rising indignantly_) Lord Brookfield!

HE. I nearly forgot to mention----

SHE. What?

HE. That I saw you jump in.

SHE. Oh!

HE. It was pleasant while it lasted, wasn't it? And romantic!
Why, romantic doesn't begin to describe it! (_Imitating_)
"Mother, kiss me!"

SHE. Oh, how can you?

HE. Unconscious--helpless--and you didn't remember! Not even the
shoes. That was clever--very clever! And the hands trying to pull
you down to the bottom: that was the touch of genius! (_He pauses
with a smile._) Ah, well, I was willing to have a little fun. (_A
man is heard whistling a popular song in the distance. He listens
attentively._)

SHE. (_After a pause_) You played with me--played with me. Oh,
you're disgusting! Revolting! What a thing for a _man_ to do! I
thought---- (_She breaks off._)

HE. (_Encouraging her to continue_) Yes?

SHE. Nothing. . . . (_Then, seeing no reason to restrain
herself._) I thought Lord Brookfield was a gentleman!

HE. Oh, but _I'm_ not.

SHE. Not a gentleman?

HE. No. . . . I'm not Lord Brookfield.

SHE. _Not_ Lord Brookfield?

HE. No.

SHE. Then who on earth are you?

HE. (_Sweetly_) I? I'm a friend of his.

SHE. A friend?

HE. A close friend--very close.

SHE. Who? Who?

HE. (_Leisurely_) I'm not related, you know, but I see a lot of
him. We're thick--very thick.

SHE. (_un patiently_) Who are you?

HE. (_Simply_) I'm his valet.

SHE. (_Horrified_) Oh! . . . And you kissed me! A valet! You
dared kiss me!

HE. At your request.

SHE. (_Almost choking with rage_) But a valet! A valet!

HE. I'm a good valet. One of the best there is.

SHE. Your insolence! Oh! (_She seizes the handkerchief which he
has left on the log, and wipes her mo