HERBERT. Oh, don't, please don't; that is, don't on my account. This isn't late for me. I often study till two. Besides, to-morrow will be Sunday, and one isn't required to be about so early on Sunday. MINNIE [_still smiling_]. I think it would be a trifle more accurate if you had said, "This is Sunday." I am positive it is after midnight. Have you a watch? HERBERT. I am exceedingly sorry, but--but I didn't wear my watch to-day; being around the water, I thought--I thought, I might lose---- MINNIE. Yes, one does have to be careful around the water. I've lost my key, I know! HERBERT. I can't tell you how sorry I am. MINNIE. And the injustice of it is that you must be the one to suffer--waiting here for Hilda. HERBERT. I shan't suffer; it will be a pleasure, believe---- MINNIE. It's very good of you, of course; but you are quite sure I hadn't better ring? HERBERT. Quite. Don't do it, really. It's a lovely night, and---- MINNIE. Well, we'd better sit on the porch, then, it's rather damp here, don't you think? [_She moves toward the south steps._] HERBERT [_following_]. Yes, I believe it is rather damp. There's been a heavy dew. One can't afford to get one's feet wet with so much bronchitis about. MINNIE [_sitting on the top step_]. No indeed--I can't imagine where they can be! They were ahead of us all the way in. Why didn't we think to ask at the livery if---- HERBERT. I'm sure it wouldn't have done any good. You see they didn't get their horse where I got ours. MINNIE. Oh, yes, to be sure. [_Anxiously._] But where in the world can they be? HERBERT. I recall having read once--in some French book if I remember rightly--that one should never count upon an affianced couple being in a given place at a given time. MINNIE [_smiling at him_]. I'm not sure that isn't true. Still, Hilda is usually quite discreet, and I can't---- HERBERT. Doubtless they'll be here in a moment; I shouldn't worry. MINNIE [_suddenly_]. Why, how very impolite of me. To allow you to sit there all this time holding that basket. Won't you set it on the porch? [HERBERT _has held the basket on his knees with his hands spread out over the cover._] HERBERT. Oh--ah--I wasn't thinking of--there, I guess that will be safe. [_He sets the basket on the porch at his side._] MINNIE [_leaning forward and gazing past him toward the street_]. I wish they'd come! Wasn't it perfectly absurd of me to lose my key? Keeping you here! Are you quite sure you'd just as lief? HERBERT. Yes, indeed--really--I like to sit out--really, it doesn't matter, not in the least. MINNIE. Well while we are waiting we might as well go on where we left off. You were saying, on the way up from the livery---- [_Hardly for a moment has_ HERBERT _taken his eyes off the girl at his side._] HERBERT [_floundering_]. Oh, yes, as I was saying--the--oh--ah--I was say--what _was_ I saying, Miss----