JOGTROT (_aside_). One more chance! (_Aloud._) All I desire is my ward's happiness! happiness!--poor girl! (_shrugging his shoulders and giving a deep sigh_). JACK (_bristling up sharply._) What's that? JOGTROT (_sneeringly_). I believe, sir, I have already expressed my opinion of military men--as _husbands!_ JACK (_threateningly_). Take my advice, sir, and leave military men alone, or else-- (_JESSIE takes small bell and rings it; JACK falls into chair laughing._) JOGTROT. In a word-- MRS. T. Pardon me, doctor, you have said quite enough already! JESSIE (_indignantly_) _More_ than enough, Doctor Jogtrot! (_advancing on JOGTROT, who retreats; she follows him up_). For the last ten minutes you've been insulting a better man than yourself, Doctor Jogtrot!--a _far_ better man, Doctor Jogtrot! JACK (_aside_). Halloa! here's JESSIE getting into a pet! (_takes second small bell and rings it; JESSIE and JACK fall into chairs roaring with laughter and ringing their bells, JOGTROT staring at them in astonishment_). CHIRPER (_to JOGTROT, in a sympathizing tone_). My dear respected friend-- JOGTROT (_turning fiercely on CHIRPER_). And you! standing there like a gaping idiot--ugh! JACK. Oh, Dicky's all right! he's got his cow; hain't you, Dicky? CHIRPER. _And_ the Philotechnic, where, by-the-bye, I am now due. JOGTROT. So am I. Come along (_slams his hat on his head, puts his arm in CHIRPER'S, swings him round, and drags him out at C._). JACK (_taking JESSIE'S hand_). Mine! mine at last! JESSIE (_smiling_). But remember. Jack, no more irritability, no more tempers. JACK. No! Here, here I vow, protest, and declare is the last of Pepperpot's little _Pets!_ (_kisses JESSIE'S hand as curtain falls_). AFTER A STORM COMES A CALM. _Comedietta, in One Act._ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MAJOR PELICAN. DR. VICESSIMUS PRETTYWELL. JOSEPH (a servant). MRS. PELICAN. MRS. MAJOR PELICAN. FANNY. SCENE.--Major Pelican's Villa in St. John's Wood. _A handsomely furnished apartment. Door at C., doors R. H. and L. H.; a window at back, at R. C._ JOSEPH (_discovered lounging in an easy-chair, his legs upon another, a newspaper open in his hand_). Now, then, for a quiet squint at the sporting intelligence. See if I can't pick out a likely one for the Great Cricklewood Handicap. (_Bell rings at L. H._) Of course! No indulging in literary pursuits in this house! That's the young missus's bell, and she can't bear being kept waiting. Well, I suppose it's only natural for young people to be impatient (_getting up and going towards L. H.; bell at R. H. is heard to ring_). Now the old lady's at it, and she's always in a hurry, she is! Well, I suppose old people can't afford to wait (_going towards door R. H.; bell at L. H. rings again, then the bell at R. H.; then both bells are rung violently; JOSEPH running backward and forward_). _Enter MAJOR PELICAN at C._ MAJOR. Well, Joseph, don't you hear the bell? JOSEPH. I hear two of them, sir.