_Burl._ [_aside over screen_]. By gad! _Mrs. H._ Ah, indeed, I am delighted to meet you, sir. I feel that we are old friends, already, Mr. Burleigh. I have heard so much of you. _Shr._ Oh, yes, me and Steve is great chums, ain't we, Steve, old boy? [_slaps Hudson on the back._] [_To Hud._] Put me on to de young one. _Miss H._ [_aside to Mrs. H._]. Oh, Mamma, he is awful. How could Steve choose such a man to room with! _Mrs. H._ Steve always said he was awkward with ladies, you know. Perhaps he will improve on acquaintance. _Shr._ [_to Miss H._]. Pleased to meet you, ma'am. How is the state of your health? 'T ain't often we see such a daisy out here, is it Steve? [_To Hud._] Oh, I can say perlite things to a lady. You needn't be afraid, I won't disgrace yer! _Hud._ [_aside_]. How long will this last? _Mrs. H._ [_to Hud._]. Well, my son, I must say, your chum seems hardly the retiring, bashful young man you have always represented him to be. _Hud._ Oh, he is, he is. That's--er--that is just what is the matter. His shyness takes this form, you see. He is really awfully embarrassed, and--er--tries to pass it off in this way. _Mrs. H._ Curious forms of shyness. _Hud._ Yes, very. It will pass off soon, and you will like him better when the ice is broken. _Shr._ [_to Miss H._]. Ain't that a nobby dress you got on! _Mrs. H._ I should think the ice was at least badly cracked already. _Hud._ [_aside_]. I must get them out of here. [_Aloud_.] Come, do let us start for the Assembly. _Mrs. H._ Well, dear, we have an extra seat in the carriage, and if Mr. Burleigh would like to come, we will wait for him to dress. [_To Shreedy_] Won't you come with us, Mr. Burleigh? _Hud._ [_breaking in_]. No--no--no! Ned never cares---- _Shr._ Why, sure. I'd be tickled to death. I am wid you easy. Let's go right away. _Miss H._ Don't you want to dress? _Shr._ What will I dress for? Begob, I can dance just the way I am as well as the next man. Wait till you see me take de flure. Oh, I'm a dandy on me toes [_illustrates by a few steps_]. _Hud._ [_aside_]. Oh, this is too much. I shall have to tell the truth. [_Knock on door._] There!! _Come in!_ [_Enter Randolph, still in his ulster, with the umbrella and smoking the cigar._] _Rand._ Well, Ned, how is----. Oh, I beg pardon! [_Starts to back out; Hudson rushes across and seizes him._] _Hud._ Randolph! Thank Heaven! Come here. [_Takes him aside._] Jack, have you any money with you? As you love me, Jack, let me have it. _Rand._ What the deuce is the matter? I have ten dollars in this coat, but I need it. _Hud._ Oh, kind Providence has taken care of its own! Let me have it, I tell you. [_Randolph gives him the ten-dollar bill. Hudson rushes to Shreedy._] _Rand._ Here is a nice position. Is Steve crazy? _Hud._ [_aside to Shr._]. Here, you damned blackmailer. Here's your money. Now get out, and don't let me see you here again.