_Barlow_ (_coming forward_). Wise man, cold weather like this. It would be terrible if you let your mind go out in cold weather without anything on it. Might catch cold in your idea. _Dorothy._ I wonder why Jennie doesn't come? I shall have to ring again. [_Pushes electric button again._ _Yardsley_ (_with an effort at brilliance_). The kitchen belle doesn't seem to work. _Dorothy._ Ordinarily she does, but she seems to be upset by something this afternoon. I'm afraid she's in love. If you will excuse me a moment I will go and prepare the tea myself. _Barlow._ Do; good! Then we shall not need the sugar. _Yardsley._ You might omit the spoons too, after a remark like that, Miss Dorothy. _Dorothy._ We'll omit Mr. Barlow's spoon. I'll bring some for you and me. [_She goes out._ _Yardsley_ (_with a laugh_). That's one on you, Barlow. But I say, old man (_taking out his watch and snapping the cover to three or four times_), it's getting very late--after five now. If you want to go with Billie Wilkins you'd better take up your hat and walk. I'll say good-bye to Miss Andrews for you. _Barlow._ Thanks. Too late now. You said Billie wouldn't wait after four-thirty. _Yardsley._ Did I say four-thirty? I meant five-thirty. Anyhow, Billie isn't over-prompt. Better go. _Barlow._ You seem mighty anxious to get rid of me. _Yardsley._ I? Not at all, my dear boy--not at all. I'm very, very fond of you, but I thought you'd prefer opera to me. Don't you see? That's where my modesty comes in. You're so fond of a good chat I thought you'd want to go to-night. Wilkins has a box. _Barlow._ You said seats a little while ago. _Yardsley._ Of course I did. And why not? There are seats in boxes. Didn't you know that? _Barlow._ Look here, Yardsley, what's up, anyhow? You've been deuced queer to-day. What are you after? [Illustration: "WHAT'S UP, ANYHOW?"] _Yardsley_ (_tragically_). Shall I confide in you? Can I, with a sense of confidence that you will not betray me? _Barlow_ (_eagerly_). Yes, Bob. Go on. What is it? I'll never give you away, and I _may_ be able to give you some good advice. _Yardsley._ I am here to--to--to rob the house! Business has been bad, and one must live. [_BARLOW looks at him in disgust._ _Yardsley_ (_mockingly_). You have my secret, John Barlow. Remember that it was wrung from me in confidence. You must not betray me. Turn your back while I surreptitiously remove the piano and the gas-fixtures, won't you? _Barlow_ (_looking at him thoughtfully_). Yardsley, I have done you an injustice. _Yardsley._ Indeed? _Barlow._ Yes. Some one claimed, at the club, the other day, that you were the biggest donkey in existence, and I denied it. I was wrong, old man, I was wrong, and I apologize. You are. _Yardsley._ You are too modest, Jack. You forget--yourself.