_Mr Toov._ My dear, I've no more notion who he is, if he's not Mr. CURPHEW, than a babe un---- _Curph._ But surely, Sir, you forget our conversation at Clapham Junction this day week? You certainly knew everything _then_. I thought your nephew had probably---- _Charles._ I'd no idea of it myself till last Saturday, so it couldn't have been _me_! _Alth. (impatiently)._ No idea of _what_? Who _is_ Mr. CURPHEW, Papa? _Curph. (to her, in astonishment)._ But you know! surely you know? What else have we been talking about? _Mr. Toov. (helplessly)._ I think we might try to be a little more clear, all of us. I do indeed. I'm in a perfect fog myself. _Mrs. Toov._ Then, Pa, let me inform you that you have been encouraging the acquaintance of a person who gains his living by singing ribald songs at music-halls under the name of WALTER WILDFIRE! _Alth. (to herself)._ WALTER WILDFIRE! Then it was----Oh, if I had known! _Mr. Toov._ A--a music-hall singer! He! Oh, dear, _dear_ me; _how_ one may be deceived in people! _Curph._ Really, Sir, this can hardly be news to you, when you allowed me to send you a box for the Eldorado for the express purpose of---- _Mrs. Toov._ Don't deny you were sent the box, Pa, because I know better. The question is--what you wanted one at all for? _Mr. Toov. (to himself)._ There's no occasion to say anything about those shares now! (_Aloud._) To be sure. I _was_ sent a ticket, my love; I could not help that, but (_drawing himself up_) it was not likely that I should compromise myself by visiting such a place, even from the best of motives, and I did not use the ticket myself, though I believe some other person did. _Mrs. Toov. (in some distress)._ Well, well, never mind that now, Pa. What _you_ have to do is to ask this Mr. WILDFIRE to oblige us all by walking out of this house--for ever. _Curph._ I should not have stayed so long as this, only I hoped that Mr. TOOVEY at least would have done me the justice---- However, I've nothing to keep me here any longer now. [_He moves towards the door._ _Alth. (coming forward and intercepting him)._ Yes, you have--you've _me_. Oh, do you think I'll let you go like this--now I _know_? Can't you understand what a difference it makes? [_She clings to his arm._ [Illustration: "Can't you understand what a difference it makes?"] _Charles._ Bravo, THEA! I always knew you were a sensible girl! _Curph. (utterly bewildered)._ Then you weren't--you don't----? I wonder if I can be awake! _Mrs. Toov._ ALTHEA, if you had the remotest conception of what a music-hall singer _is_, you would never----