_Ch._ What, you’ve noticed that, have you? Ha! ha! yes, I have a way, no doubt; it’s been remarked before. Whenever I see a pretty girl (and you are a very pretty girl) I can’t help putting my arm like that (_putting it round her waist._) Now, pleasant as this sort of thing is, and you find it pleasant, don’t you? (_PARKER nods._) Yes, you find it pleasant--pleasant as it is, it is decidedly wrong. _Par._ It is decidedly wrong in a married man. _Ch._ It is decidedly wrong in a married man. In a married man it’s abominable, and I shall be a married man in half an hour. So, Parker, it will become necessary to conquer this tendency, to struggle with it, and subdue it--in half an hour (_getting more affectionate_). Not that there’s any real harm in putting your arm round a girl’s waist. Highly respectable people do it, when they waltz. _Par._ Yes, sir, but then a band’s playing. _Ch._ True, and when a band’s playing it don’t matter, but when a band is _not_ playing, why it’s dangerous, you see. You begin with this, and you go on from one thing to another, getting more and more affectionate, until you reach _this_ stage (_kissing her_). Not that there’s any real harm in kissing, either; for you see fathers and mothers, who ought to set a good example, kissing their children every day. _Par._ Lor, sir, kissing’s nothing; everybody does that. _Ch._ That is your experience, is it? It tallies with my own. Take it that I am your father, you are my daughter--or take it even that I am merely your husband, and you my wife, and it would be expected of me. (_Kissing her._) _Par._ But I’m not your wife, sir. _Ch._ No, not yet, that’s very true, and, of course, makes a difference. That’s why I say I must subdue this tendency; I must struggle with it; I must conquer it--in half-an-hour. _Min._ (_without_). Parker, where’s Mr. Cheviot? _Ch._ There is your mistress, my dear--she’s coming. Will you excuse me? (_Releasing her._) Thank you. Good day, Parker. _Par._ (_disgusted_). Not so much as a shilling; and that man’s worth thousands! [_Exit PARKER._ _Enter MINNIE._ _Ch._ My darling Minnie--my own, own To Come! (_Kissing her._) _Min._ Oh, you mustn’t crush me, Cheviot, you’ll spoil my dress. How do you like it? _Ch._ It’s lovely. It’s a beautiful material. _Min._ Yes; dear papa’s been going it. _Ch._ Oh, but you’re indebted to me for that beautiful dress. _Min._ To you! Oh, thank you--thank you! _Ch._ Yes. I said to your papa, “Now do for once let the girl have a nice dress; be liberal; buy the very best that money will procure, you’ll never miss it.” So, thanks to me, he bought you a beauty. Seventeen and six a yard if it’s a penny. Dear me! To think that in half-an-hour this magnificent dress will be _my_ property! _Min._ Yes. Dear papa said that as you had offered to give the breakfast at your house, he would give me the best dress that money could procure.