_Dr. Herd._ Yes, you may well say so, HILDA. Still--(_dubiously_)--it _does_ occur to me that such doings may perhaps be misunderstood--by the narrow-minded and conventional. [_They go on the lawn, and sit down._ _Hilda_ (_with an outburst_). Oh, that all seems to me so foolish--so irrelevant! As if the whole thing wasn't intended as an Allegory! _Dr. Herd._ (_relieved_). Ah, so long as it is merely _allegorical_ of course---- But what is it an allegory _of_, HILDA? _Hilda_ (_reflects in vain_). How can you sit there and ask such questions? I suppose I am a symbol, of some sort. _Dr. Herd._ (_as a thought flashes upon him_). A cymbal? That would certainly account for your bra---- Then am _I_ a cymbal too, HILDA? _Hilda._ Why yes--what else? You represent the Artist-worker, or the Elder Generation, or the Pursuit of the Ideal, or a Bilious Conscience--or something or other. _You_'re all right! _Dr. Herd._ (_shakes his head_). Am I? But I don't quite see---- Well, well, cymbals are meant to clash a little. And I see plainly now that I ought to prescribe this powder for as many as possible. Isn't it terrible, HILDA, that so many poor souls never really die their own deaths--pass out of the world without even the formality of an inquest? As the district Coroner, I feel strongly on the subject. _Hilda._ And, when the Coroner has finished sitting on all the bodies, perhaps--but I shan't tell you now. (_Speaks as if to a child._) There, run away and finish making the Rainbow-powder, do! _Dr. Herd._ (_skips up into the Dispensary_). I will--I will! Oh, I do feel such a troll--such a light-haired, light-headed old devil! _Ruebub_ (_enters garden-gate_). I have had my dismissal--but I'm not going without saying good-bye to Mrs. HERDAL. _Hilda._ Dr. HERDAL would disapprove--you really must not, Mr. KALOMEL. And, besides, Mrs. HERDAL is not at home. She is in the town buying me a reel of cotton. _Dr._ HERDAL is in. He is making real Rainbow powders for regenerating everybody all round. Won't _that_ be fun? _Ruebub._ _Making_ powders? Ha! ha! But you will see he won't _take_ one himself. It is quite notorious to us younger men that he simply daren't do it. [Illustration: "My--_my_ Pill-Doctor!"] _Hilda._ (_with a little snort of contempt_). Oh, I daresay--that's so likely! (_Defiantly._) I know he _can_, though. I've _seen_ him! _Ruebub._ There is a tradition that he once--but not now--he knows better. I think you said Mrs. HERDAL was in the town? I will go and look for her. I understand her so well. [_Goes out by gate._ _Hilda_ (_calls_). Dr. HERDAL! Come out this minute. I want you--awfully! _Dr. Herd._ (_puts his head out_). Just when I am making such wonderful progress with the powder! (_Comes down and leans on a table._) Have you hit upon some way of giving it to ALINE? I thought if you were to put it in her arrowroot----?