_Podb._ (_to himself_). _One_ of 'em gone! Now if I can only clear these old tabbies out, I can tackle CULCHARD. (_Aloud, to Chaplain's Wife._) You don't happen to know if there's a good doctor here, I suppose? A lady was saying in the Musik-saal--the lady with the three daughters who came this afternoon--that she was afraid they were in for bad feverish colds or something, and asking who there was to call in. _The C.'s W._ Oh, I've no belief in foreign doctors. I always find a few drops of aconite or pulsatilla,--I have my homoeopathic case with me now. Perhaps, if I went and had a talk with her I could--[_She goes out energetically._ _Podb._ Another gone! (_To the Old Maids._) So you ain't going down to the Cloisters to-night? I'm told there's to be some fun there--Hide-and-seek, or something--first-rate place for it, especially now the moon's up! _First Old Maid_. Nobody told _us_ a word about it. Hide-and-seek--and in those quaint old Cloisters too--It sounds delightful! What do you say, TABITHA. Shall we just--? Only to look _on_, you know. We needn't _play_, unless-- [_The Two Old Maids withdraw in a pleased flutter. PODBURY crosses to CULCHARD._ _Podb._ (_with determination_). Look here, CULCHARD, I'd just like to know what you mean by the way you're going on. _Culch._ I thought we were both agreed that discussions of this kind-- _Podb._ It's all bosh our travelling together if we're not to have any discussions. You've been on the sulk long enough. And I'll thank you to inform me what you're after here, going about alone with Miss PRENDERGAST like this, in the Museum with her all the morning, and on the lake again this afternoon,--it won't _do_, you know! _Culch._ If she happens to prefer my society to yours and her brother's, I presume you have no claim to interfere. _Podb._ I don't know about that. How about Miss TROTTER? _Culch._ If I remember rightly, you yourself were not insensible to Miss TROTTER's--er--attractions? _Podb._ Perhaps not; but I am not engaged to her--you _are_. You told me so in the train. _Culch._ You entirely misunderstood me. There was no definite understanding between us--nothing of the sort or kind. In fact, it was merely a passing caprice. Since I have had the privilege of knowing Miss PRENDERGAST, I see clearly-- _Podb._ Then you mean to propose to her, eh? _Culch._ That is certainly my intention; have you any objection to offer? _Podb._ Only that I mean to propose too. I daresay my chances are as good as yours--even now. _Culch._ I doubt it, my dear fellow; however, don't let _me_ discourage you. _Podb._ I don't intend to. (_The figure of Miss PRENDERGAST is seen to pass the glazed doors, and move slowly across the Musik-saal; both rush to the door, and look after her._) She's gone out into the balcony. 'Jove, I'll go, too, and get it over!