_Alfred_ (_with growing uneasiness_). When you simply detest all dogs! I don't know _anyone_ less fitted than you to manage a Dog's Home. I really don't! _Spreta._ I must fill the void in my life _somehow_--if you go and leave me. And I must educate myself to _understand_ dogs better, that's all. _Alfred._ Yes, that you would _have_ to do. (_As if struck with an idea._) Before you _begin_. Suppose I take up my big fat book on _Canine Idiosyncrasy_ once more, eh? That would teach you how to purify and ennoble every poodle really scientifically, you know. Only you must promise to wait till I've got it _done_. _Spreta_ (_with a melancholy smile_). I am in no hurry ALFRED. Only to write that you would have to remain at home. _Alfred_ (_half evasively_). Not necessarily. I _might_, of course--for a while, that is. But I shall have many a heavy day of work before me, SPRETA, and you will see, now and then perhaps, a great slumberous peace descend on me as I toil away in my brown study--but I shall be making wonderful progress all the same. _Spreta._ I shall quite understand _that_, ALFRED. Oh, dear, who in the world's this? [The VARMINT-BL[=O]K _appears mysteriously in the gloom_. _The Varmint-Bl[=o]k._ Excuse me, Captin, and your sweet ladyship, but I just happened to drop my eye on one of those lovely little hand-billikins here, and took the liberty to step up, thinking it might so happen that you'd been advertising the very identical dawg what followed me home the other day. You may remember me passing the remark how wonderful partial dawgs was to me. So I brought him up on the chance like. [_He produces_ Little MOPSËMAN--_in mufti--from a side-pocket_. _Spreta._ It _is_ our Little MOPSËMAN! So you are _not_ some supernatural sort of shadowy symbol after all, then? _The Varm.-B._ (_hurt_). Now I ask you, lady--do I look it? Here's my professional card. And if you _should_ have the reward handy---- (_As_ ALFRED _pays him_.) Five Rix dollarkins--correct, my lord, and thankee kindly. (_As he departs._) You'll find I've learned that sweet little mongrel a thing or two; take the nonsense out of any rat in Norway _now_, he will. And just you ask him to set up and give three cheers for Dr. IBSEN--that's all! [_He goes out, chuckling softly._ _Alfred_ (_holding out_ Little MOPSËMAN _at arms' length_). H'm; it will be a heavy day's work to purify and ennoble this poodle after all he has been through, eh, SPRETA? I think, as you seem to have developed quite a taste for such tasks, I shall allow _you_ to undertake it--all by yourself. _Spreta_ (_turns away with her half-teasing smile_). Thanks! THE END. * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.