_Shr._ Well, I should have enjoyed the party, but I need the money, so I'll go. [_To the others_] Ladies, I'm very sorry, but I find I have a sudden engagement, so I can't keep company wid you to de ball to-night. I'm all broke up about it, but I hope I'll see you again. Be good to yourselves. Good-by. Good-by, Hudson, ta-ta. [_Exit Prof. Shreedy._] _Mrs. H._ Why, Steve, what is the matter? _Hud._ I will explain to you some other time. Let me present Mr. Randolph, mother, and my sister. Mr. Randolph is one of my best friends. I _owe_ him a great deal. Are you going in to the Assembly, Jack? _Rand._ [_decidedly embarrassed_]. No, I can't. There is a dress rehearsal at the Pud; a _dress_ rehearsal, you know, and I must go right round to it now. I just came in for a moment. If you will excuse---- _Hud._ Oh, nonsense! Stay a little while. Take your coat off. _Rand._ [_aside to Hud._] Shut up, you jackass! _Miss H._ [_looking at Randolph's rubber boots_]. Is it raining, Mr. Randolph? _Rand._ [_uneasily_]. No, no, not yet, no, but it looks like rain. _Miss H._ Why, the stars were all out beautifully a moment ago. _Rand._ Yes--er--they--er--the stars? [_With a noble effort_] Ah, yes, yes, the stars _were_ out, yes. But, er--they--er--they may go in again, you know. [_Aside_] What rot I am talking! _Hud._ Well, it is not going to rain in here, anyway. Do take off your ulster and stay a minute. _Rand._ Really, Steve, I'd like to, but that _dress rehearsal_, you know. _Hud._ Oh, let the rehearsal wait. We are going in town in a moment, anyway. _Mrs. H._ Don't leave us, Mr. Randolph. _Miss H._ [_at mantel-piece_]. Steve, of whom is this a picture? _Hud._ [_turning_]. Why, that is Jack himself in the last play. _Mrs. H._ Oh, do let me see it. [_Goes to fireplace. Hudson, Miss H., and Mrs. H. stand at mantel with backs to room._] _Burl._ [_from over the screen to Randolph_]. For Heaven's sake, Jack, hand up that ulster! _Rand._ [_seeing him_]. What in the name--what are you doing there? _Burl._ [_in a nervous and irritated undertone_]. Confound it, man, I haven't any clothes on. Give me the ulster, quick! _Rand._ Hurray! Up a tree, are you? You'll talk to her while I am at the rehearsal, will you? I told you that when I met her you wouldn't be in it. _Burl._ Give me the coat, Jack; do, there's a good fellow. _Rand._ I'll be hanged if I will! _Hud._ [_to his mother and sister_]. Here is Ned's room. I expect it is a chaos just at present. [_They move to door of Burleigh's bedroom, backs still to the rest of the room._] _Burl_. Come round here. [_Steps from behind the screen, and pulls Rand. behind_.] Rand. [_from behind_]. All right, just for a minute. You promise to give it back. [_Burl. comes out from behind screen, with ulster on. Rand's head appears over screen_.] _Burl_. I'll see. [_Walks towards others. Ladies turn_.] _Mrs. H_. Pardon me, Mr. Randolph----Oh! _Burl_. Allow me to present myself, Mrs. Hudson----