_Barlow._ Yes, almost too fine to be shut up in-doors. Why aren't you driving, or--or playing golf, or--ah--or being out-doors somewhere? You need exercise, old man; you look a little pale. (_Aside._) I must get him away from here somehow. Deuced awkward having another fellow about when you mean to propose to a woman. _Yardsley._ Oh, I'm well enough! _Barlow_ (_solicitously_). You don't look it--by Jove, you don't. (_Suddenly inspired._) No, you don't, Bob. You overestimate your strength. It's very wrong to overestimate one's strength. People--ah--people have died of it. Why, I'll bet you a hat you can't start now and walk up to Central Park and back in an hour. Come. I'll time you. (_Rises and takes out watch._) It is now four-ten. I'll wager you can't get back here before five-thirty. Eh? Let me get your hat. [_Starts for door._ _Yardsley_ (_with a laugh_). Oh no; I don't bet--after four. But I say, did you see Billie Wilkins? _Barlow_ (_returning in despair_). Nope. _Yardsley_ (_aside_). Now for a bit of strategy. (_Aloud._) He was looking for you at the club. (_Aside._) Splendid lie! (_Aloud._) Had seats for the--ah--the Metropolitan to-night. Said he was looking for you. Wants you to go with him. (_Aside._) That ought to start him along. _Barlow._ I'll go with him. [Illustration: "I'LL TIME YOU"] _Yardsley_ (_eagerly_). Well, you'd better let him know at once, then. Better run around there and catch him while there's time. He said if he didn't see you before half-past four he'd get Tom Parker to go. Fine show to-night. Wouldn't lose the opportunity if I were you. (_Looking at his watch._) You'll just about have time to do it now if you start at once. [_Grasps BARLOW by arm, and tries to force him out. BARLOW holds back, and is about to remonstrate, when DOROTHY enters. Both men rush to greet her; YARDSLEY catches her left hand, BARLOW her right._ _Dorothy_ (_slightly embarrassed_). Why, how do you do--this is an unexpected pleasure--both of you? Excuse my left hand, Mr. Yardsley; I should have given you the other if--if you'd given me time. _Yardsley._ Don't mention it, I pray. The unexpectedness is wholly mine, Miss Andrews--I mean--ah--the pleasure is-- _Barlow._ Wholly mine. _Dorothy_ (_withdrawing her hands from both and sitting down_). I haven't seen either of you since the Perkinses' dance. Wasn't it a charming affair? [Illustration: "START AT ONCE"] _Yardsley._ Delightful I--ah--I didn't know that the Perkinses-- _Barlow_ (_interrupting_). It was a good deal of a crush, though. As Mrs. Van Darling said to me, "You always meet--" _Yardsley._ It's a pity Perkins isn't more of a society man, though, don't you think? _Dorothy._ Oh, I don't know. I've always found him very pleasant. He is so sincere. _Barlow._ Isn't he, though? He looked bored to death all through the dance.