CINDERELLA (_happily_). That’s just a bit I was keeping handy. (_Almost in a whisper._) David, do you think I could have a engagement ring? POLICEMAN (_squaring his shoulders_). As to that, Jane, first tell me frankly, do you think the Police Force is romantical? CINDERELLA. They’re brave and strong, but— POLICEMAN. The general verdict is no. And yet a more romantical body of men do not exist. I have been brooding over this question of engagement rings, and I consider them unromantical affairs! (_He walks toward his parcel._) CINDERELLA. David, what’s in that parcel? POLICEMAN. Humbly hoping you would have me, Jane, I have had something special made for you— CINDERELLA (_thrilling_). Oh, David, what is it? POLICEMAN. It’s a policeman’s idea of an engagement ring— CINDERELLA. Quick! Quick! POLICEMAN. —for my amazing romantical mind said to me that, instead of popping a ring on the finger of his dear, a true lover should pop a pair of glass slippers upon her darling feet! CINDERELLA. David, you’re a poet! POLICEMAN (_not denying it_). It’s what you’ve made me—and proud I would be if, for the honour of the Force, I set this new fashion in engagement rings. (_He reveals the glass slippers._) (CINDERELLA _holds out her hands for the little doves_.) They’re not for hands. (_He uncovers her feet._) CINDERELLA. They’re terrible small! Maybe they’ll not go on! (_They go on._) CINDERELLA. They’re like two kisses. POLICEMAN. More like two love-letters. CINDERELLA. No, David, no,—kisses. POLICEMAN. We won’t quarrel about it, Cinders; but at the same time.... However! (_He presses her face to him for a moment so that he may not see its transparency._ DR. BODIE _has told him something_.) TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources. Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, when a predominant preference was found in the original book. Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. Pg 7: ‘in the passage.’ replaced by ‘in the passage.)’. Pg 30: ‘He stops short’ replaced by ‘(He stops short’.