Oh! Susannah! Part 10

Pearl. Had he his big walking stick? _(seriously)_

Doctor. _(nods)_ He had! He practised with it on Tupper.

Andrew and Waveb. _(together, rising)_ I think we had better be going now.

Ruby. _(to Andrew)_ Yes, do, you don't know papa when he's roused.

_(Waverly looks around nervously and goes up.)_

Andrew. Oh, I'm not afraid, but I've an appointment. _(winking and smiling)_

Ruby. _(smiling)_ With a lady? _(pointing at picture)_

Andrew. _(smiling)_ Yes!

Waver. I'll come with you, I'd like to see her.

Andrew. Right! Shan't be long, Jack, and when we come back we're going to take you out to have one jolly good caper for the last, _(slaps him hard on back.)_

Doctor. _(absently)_ The last before auntie comes.

Andrew. _(laughing and nudging Waver.)_ As you say, _before auntie comes_.

_(Exit Andrew and Waverly.)_

Pearl. _(to Ruby)_ He's looking at us! Suppose he's fallen in love with us!

Ruby. He mustn't for worlds--father would accept him at once!

Pearl. _(to Ruby)_ We must be very _distant_ cousins now.

_(Girls sit on sofa.)_

Doctor. _(aside)_ I'm no match for the two of 'em. _(sits on couch between girls--cheerily)_ Now make yourselves quite at home, let me give you some more tea? _(to Ruby.)_

Ruby. _(freezingly)_ No, thank you. _(moves to armchair)_

_(Pearl goes to window and looks out.)_

Doctor. _(C. aside)_ Very sudden change! What have I done?

Pearl. _(looking out of window)_ Father's back!

_(Bell rings. Ruby and Pearl rush back and sit one on each side of Doctor. cuddling close to him, each holding one of his hands.)_

Doctor. _(to them)_ Father's back? Oh, yes, I know, _lumbago!_ I'll cure it.

_(Enter Plant.)_

Plant. Ah, here you are, my precious jewels!

_(Doctor rises, girls rise with him, still holding his hands.)_

Sir, accept a father's thanks!

_(Holds out his hand, which Doctor cannot take--Bus. then girls release him--shaking Doctor's hand.)_

Forgive my harshness this afternoon--a father's feelings, you know.

Doctor. On the contrary, you ought to forgive _me_--I know now how much I owe you--my fairy prince!

_(Girls laugh and sit on sofa.)_

Plant. _(quickly)_ Hus.h.!.+ Not before the girls! _(goes to them, stands back of sofa)_ My precious jewels, how thankful I am to find you safe and well, _(aside)_ I'll give it you when I get you home. I know _all!_ _(to Doctor)_ Two dear girls, Doctor.

who have never given me a moment's uneasiness all their blameless lives, _(aside to Ruby)_ Have you settled? Which is it to be?

Ruby. _(aside to him)_ Me.

Pearl. _(aside to him)_ And me too!

Plant. _(savagely to Pearl)_ I shall lock you up in our room, miss, for the rest of the day.

Ruby. _(ruefully)_ Oh, papa, how unkind!

Plant. _(aside to Ruby)_ And you too! _(aside)_ I can get on better without you. _(to Doctor. stroking their hair)_ Ah, Doctor. the man who would dare to rob me of my precious jewels, Ruby and Pearl. will have much to answer for.

Doctor. Don't distress yourself, no man would be so heartless, _(looking through microscope)_

Plant. Ahem! Not such a fool as he looks! These girls are no match for him. I must get him alone. _(aloud)_ Well, Doctor. we mustn't waste your precious time; I see you're busy.

Doctor. No, no, not on a Friday, to-morrow's my day. _(nearly dances, checks himself, aside--to Plant)_ Besides I'm expecting an old school fellow directly, he's a lieutenant in the navy, and my greatest friend.

_(Consternation of Ruby and Pearl.)_

You _must_ stop.

Plant. My dear Jack, we should be charmed to meet any friend of yours, but really during our short stay in town we have so many engagements, _(to Ruby)_ Say good-bye and kiss him!

Ruby. I have kissed him once. _(rises)_

Plant. Good! Do it again for luck!

_(Pearl crosses towards Doctor)_

Not you! _(stops her)_

Pearl. _(to Plant)_ I wasn't going to.

Plant. I wouldn't trust you.