No, thanks. I won't have that now. I have just recollected that it is a rule of mine never to injure anybody I have once been formally introduced to. Strangers don't count. No, poor Mrs. Herdal mustn't take that powder! DR. HERDAL. [_Disappointed._] Then is nothing to come of making rainbow powders, after all, Hilda? HILDA. [_Looks hard at him._] People say you are afraid to take your own physic. Is that true? DR. HERDAL. Yes, I am. [_After a pause--with candour._] I find it invariably disagrees with me. HILDA. [_With a half-dubious smile._] I think I can understand _that_. But you did _once_. You swallowed your own pills that day at the _table d'hôte_, ten years ago. And I heard a harp in the air, too! DR. HERDAL. [_Open-mouthed._] I don't think that _could_ have been me. I don't play any instrument. And that was quite a special thing, too. It's not every day I can do it. Those were only _bread_ pills, Hilda. HILDA. [_With flashing eyes._] But you rolled them, you took them. And I want to see you stand once more free and high and great, swallowing your own preparations. [_Passionately._] I _will_ have you do it! [_Imploringly._] Just _once_ more, Dr. Herdal! DR. HERDAL. If I did, Hilda, my medical knowledge, slight as it is, leads me to the conclusion that I should in all probability burst. HILDA. [_Looks deeply into his eyes._] So long as you burst _beautifully_! But no doubt that Miss Blakdraf---- DR. HERDAL. You must believe in me utterly and entirely. I will do anything--_anything_, Hilda, to provide you with agreeable entertainment. I _will_ swallow my own powder! [_To himself, as he goes gravely up to dispensary._] If only the drugs are sufficiently adulterated! [_Goes in; as he does so, the_ NEW ASSISTANT _enters the garden in blue spectacles, unseen by_ HILDA, _and follows him, leaving open the glass door._ SENNA. [_Comes wildly out of drawing-room._] Where is dear Dr. Herdal? Oh, Miss Wangel, he has discharged me--but I can't--I simply _can't_ live away from that lovely ledger. HILDA. [_Jubilantly._] At this moment Dr. Herdal is in the dispensary, taking one of his own powders. SENNA. [_Despairingly._] But--but it is utterly impossible! Miss Wangel, you have such a firm hold of him--_don't_ let him do that! HILDA. I have already done all I can. [RÜBUB _appears, talking confidentially with_ MRS. HERDAL, _at gate._ SENNA. Oh, Mrs. Herdal, Rübub! The Pill-Doctor is going to take one of his own preparations. Save him--quick! RÜBUB. [_With cold politeness._] I am sorry to hear it--for his sake. But it would be quite contrary to professional etiquette to prevent him. MRS. HERDAL. And I never interfere with my husband's proceedings. I know _my_ duty, Miss Blakdraf, if _others_ don't! HILDA.