~Bootle.~ I beg--I thought--why, of course! It's Miss--er--h'm, yes. How do you do? Did you get back safely last night? ~Jane.~ Yes, thank you. (_Coyly._) I got your letter. ~Bootle.~ My letter? (_Sees his letter on the table. Furiously._) You opened my letter! ~Jane~ (_mistaking his fury for passion_). Yes, James. And (_looking down on the ground_) the answer is "Yes." ~Bootle~ (_realising the situation_). By George! (_Aside._) I have proposed to the wrong lady. Tchck! ~Jane.~ You may kiss me, James. ~Bootle.~ Have you a sister? ~Jane~ (_missing the connection_). Yes, I have a younger sister, Alice. (_Coldly._) But I hardly see---- ~Bootle~ (_beginning to understand how he made the mistake_). A younger sister! Then you are Miss Prendergast? And my letter--Ah! _Enter_ Alice. ~Alice.~ You are wanted, Jane, a moment. ~Jane.~ Will you excuse me, Mr. Bootle? (_Exit._) ~Bootle~ (_to Alice, as she follows her sister out_). Don't go! ~Alice~ (_wanly, if she knows how_). Am I to stay and congratulate you? ~Bootle.~ Alice! (_They approach the footlights, while_ Jane, _having finished her business, comes in unobserved and watches from the back._) It is all a mistake! I didn't know your Christian name--I didn't know you had a sister. The letter I addressed to Miss Prendergast I meant for Miss Alice Prendergast. ~Alice.~ James! My love! But what can we do? ~Bootle~ (_gloomily_). Nothing. As a man of honour I cannot withdraw. So two lives are ruined! ~Alice.~ You are right, James. Jane must never know. Good-bye! (_They give each other a farewell embrace._) ~Jane~ (_aside_). They love. (_Fiercely._) But he is mine; I will hold him to his promise! (_Picking up a photograph of Alice as a small child from an occasional table._) Little Alice! And I promised to take care of her--to protect her from the cruel world. Baby Alice! (_She puts her handkerchief to her eyes._) No! I will not spoil two lives! (_Aloud._) Why good-bye, Alice? (Bootle _and_ Alice, _who have been embracing all this time, unless they can think of something else to do, break away in surprise._) ~Alice.~ Jane--we--I---- ~Jane~ (_calmly_). Dear Alice! I understand perfectly. Mr. Bootle said in his letter to you that he was coming for his answer, and I see what answer you have given him. (_To_ Bootle.) You remember I told you it would be "Yes." I know my little sister, you see. ~Bootle~ (_tactlessly_). But--you told me I could kiss you! ~Jane~ (_smiling_). And I tell you again now. I believe it is usual for men to kiss their sisters-in-law? (_She offers her cheek._ Bootle, _whose day it is, salutes her respectfully._) And now (_gaily_) perhaps I had better leave you young people alone!