VALENTINE. When the other men talked of their homes, Miss Susan, I thought of this room. (_Looking about him._) Maps--desks--heigho! But still it is the same dear room. I have often dreamt, Miss Susan, that I came back to it in muddy shoes. (_Seeing her alarm._) I have not, you know! Miss Susan, I rejoice to find no change in you; and Miss Phoebe--Miss Phoebe of the ringlets--I hope there be as little change in her? MISS SUSAN (_painfully_). Phoebe of the ringlets! Ah, Captain Brown, you need not expect to see her. VALENTINE. She is not here? I vow it spoils all my home-coming. (_At this moment the door of the other room is filing open and_ PHOEBE _rushes out, followed by_ WILLIAM SMITH _who is brandishing the cane_. VALENTINE _takes in the situation, and without looking at_ PHOEBE _seizes_ WILLIAM _by the collar and marches him out of the school._) MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, did you see who it is? PHOEBE. I saw. (_In a sudden tremor._) Susan, I have lost all my looks. (_The pupils are crowding in from_ MISS SUSAN'S _room and she orders them back and goes with them_. VALENTINE _returns, and speaks as he enters, not recognising_ PHOEBE, _whose back is to him._) VALENTINE. A young reprobate, madam, but I have deposited him on the causeway. I fear-- (_He stops, puzzled because the lady has covered her face with her hands._) PHOEBE. Captain Brown. VALENTINE. Miss Phoebe, it is you? (_He goes to her, but he cannot help showing that her appearance is a shock to him._) PHOEBE (_without bitterness_). Yes, I have changed very much, I have not worn well, Captain Brown. VALENTINE (_awkwardly_). We--we are both older, Miss Phoebe. (_He holds out his hand warmly, with affected high spirits._) PHOEBE (_smiling reproachfully_). It was both hands when you went away. (_He has to show that his left hand is gone; she is overcome._) I did not know. (_She presses the empty sleeve in remorse._) You never mentioned it in your letters. VALENTINE (_now grown rather stern_). Miss Phoebe, what did you omit from your letters that you had such young blackguards as that to terrify you? PHOEBE. He is the only one. Most of them are dear children; and this is the last day of the term. VALENTINE. Ah, ma'am, if only you had invested all your money as you laid out part by my advice. What a monstrous pity you did not. PHOEBE. We never thought of it. VALENTINE. You look so tired. PHOEBE. I have the headache to-day. VALENTINE. You did not use to have the headache. Curse those dear children. PHOEBE (_bravely_). Nay, do not distress yourself about me. Tell me of yourself. We are so proud of the way in which you won your commission. Will you leave the army now?