_Bl._ Gone! Ah, I am rightly punished! What would I not give now to have homely little Brunette, and dear old wooden-headed Timburina back again! _She_ wouldn’t melt in the sun.... Where are they now? Great Heavens! that threat--that rash resolve ... I remember all! ’Twas in the direction of the Pond they vanished. (_Peeping anxiously between trees._) Are they still in sight? ... Yes, I see them? Brunette has reached the water’s edge ... What is she purposing! Now she kneels on the rough gravel; she is making Timburina kneel too! How calm and resolute they both appear! (_Shuddering._) I dare not look further--but ah, I must--_I must_!... Horror! I saw her boots flash for an instant in the bright sunlight: and now the ripples have closed, smiling, over her little black stockings!... Help!--save her, somebody!--help!... Joy! a gentleman has appeared on the scene--how handsome, how brave he looks! He has taken in the situation at a glance! With quiet composure he removes his coat--oh, _don’t_ trouble about folding it up!--and why, _why_ remove your gloves, when there is not a moment to be lost? Now, with many injunctions, he entrusts his watch to a bystander, who retires, overcome by emotion. And now--oh, gallant, heroic soul!--now he is sending his toy-terrier into the seething water! (_Straining_ _eagerly forward._) Ah, the dog paddles bravely out--he has reached the spot ... oh, he has passed it!--he is trying to catch a duck! Dog, dog, _is_ this a time for pursuing ducks? At last he understands--he dives ... he brings up--agony! a small tin cup! Again ... _this_ time, surely--what, only an old pot-hat!... Oh, this dog is a fool! And still the Round Pond holds its dread secret! Once more ... yes--no, yes, it _is_ Timburina! Thank Heaven, she yet breathes! But Brunette? Can she have stuck in the mud at the bottom? Ha, she, too, is rescued--saved--ha-ha-ha!--saved, saved, saved! [_Swoons hysterically amid deafening applause._ [Illustration: “Saved--ha-ha-ha!”] _Enter_ FRANK MANLY _supporting_ BRUNETTE, _who carries_ TIMBURINA. _Bl._ (_wildly_). What, do I see you safe, beloved Brunette? _Br._ Yes, thanks to his courage, I’m not even _wet_! _Frank_ (_modestly_). Nay, spare your compliments. To rescue Beauty, When in distress, is every hero’s duty! _Bl._ Brunette, forgive--I’m cured of all my folly! _Br._ (_heartily_). Of course I will, my dear, and so will dolly! [_Grand Trio and Step-dance, with “tippity-tappity,” and “clickity-clack” refrain as finale._ VI.--COMING OF AGE.