[_Enters through hall-door; he is elderly, with a plain sensible countenance, but slightly weak hair and expression._] Come here Miss Blakdraf. [_Hangs up hat, and throws his mackintosh on a divan._] Have you made out all those bills yet? [_Looks sternly at her._ SENNA. [_In a low hesitating voice._] Almost. I have charged each patient with three attendances daily. Even when you only dropped in for a cup of tea and a chat. [_Passionately._] I felt I _must_--I _must_! DR. HERDAL. [_Alters his tone, clasps her head in his hands, and whispers._] I wish you could make out the bills for me, _always_. SENNA. [_In nervous exaltation._] How lovely that would be! Oh, you are so unspeakably good to me! It is too enthralling to be here! [_Sinks down and embraces his knees._ DR. HERDAL. So I've understood. [_With suppressed irritation._] For goodness' sake, let go my legs! I do _wish_ you wouldn't be so confoundedly neurotic! [Illustration: "For goodness' sake, let go my legs!"] RÜBUB. [_Has risen, and comes in through glass-door, breathing with difficulty; he is a prematurely bald young man of fifty-five, with a harelip, and squints slightly._] I beg pardon, Dr. Herdal, I see I interrupt you. [_As_ SENNA _rises_.] I have just completed this pill. Have you looked at it? [_He offers it for inspection, diffidently._ DR. HERDAL. [_Evasively._] It appears to be a pill of the usual dimensions. RÜBUB. [_Cast down._] All these years you have never given me one encouraging word! _Can't_ you praise my pill? DR. HERDAL. [_Struggles with himself._] I--I cannot. You should not attempt to compound pills on your own account. RÜBUB. [_Breathing laboriously._] And yet there was a time when _you_, too---- DR. HERDAL. [_Complacently._] Yes, it was certainly a pill that came as a lucky stepping stone--but not a pill like that! RÜBUB. [_Vehemently._] Listen! Is that your last word? _Is_ my aged mother to pass out of this world without ever knowing whether I am competent to construct an effective pill or not? DR. HERDAL. [_As if in desperation._] You had better try it upon your mother--it will enable her to form an opinion. Only mind--I will not be responsible for the result. RÜBUB. I understand. Exactly as you tried _your_ pill, all those years ago, upon Dr. Ryval. [_He bows and goes out._ DR. HERDAL. [_Uneasily._] He said that so strangely, Senna. But tell me now--when are you going to marry him? SENNA. [_Starts--half glancing up at him._] I--I don't know. This year--next year--now--_never_! I cannot marry him ... I cannot--I _cannot_--it is so utterly impossible to leave you! DR. HERDAL. Yes, I can understand _that_. But, my poor Senna, hadn't you better take a little walk? SENNA. [_Clasps her hands gratefully._] How sweet and thoughtful you are to me! I _will_ take a walk. DR. HERDAL.