_Dennis (crossing back to fireplace)._ Oh, yes! But as one girl said to me, “That time isn’t worth having, for you can’t be with us!” _George._ You must both have been pretty far gone, old fellow. _Dennis._ Not half so badly as the girls are prospectively on “me lud.” _Steven._ No, we are in for “a bad quarter of an hour” when he shows up. _Dennis._ If he will only prove a show! _Steven (sadly)._ The only English swells I’ve met were very jolly, gentlemanly fellows. _Dennis (cheerfully)._ All the more chance that this one turns out the delicate little wood violet, such as we occasionally read of in the papers as ornamenting the “Ouse of Lords.” _George (gloomily)._ I am afraid we shall be the flower part of this show. _Dennis._ In what respect? _George._ Why, wall flowers, of course. _Steven._ Really, it’s no joking matter. I don’t know how long the girls will carry on their intended neglect, but it will be strong while it lasts. _Dennis (coming down stage indignantly)._ If I have to put in two days of life without—without— _Steven (interrupting)._ Faith, hope, or charity, which? _George._ Why don’t you say Amy, and have done with it? _Dennis (half turning)._ Very well. If I have to put in a week here, ten miles from anything, with Amy overflowing with sweetness for that—that— [_Hesitates._ _George._ Oh, speak it out, old man! The word will do you good. _Dennis._ No, it wouldn’t do justice to the subject. _Steven._ Well, Dennis, you needn’t think you’re the only one in this box. _Dennis._ Hope he’ll get here on a rainy night, and no carriage at the station, as Rose suggested. Do you suppose a fiver would make our dearly beloved Burgess misunderstand the carriage order? _George._ Burgess is a living proof of the saying, that “every man has his price.” _Steven._ How do you know? _George._ I found it out when he drove Mrs. Wycherly home, quite forgetting to say that Rose and I were to be picked up at Oakridge, as she had specially directed. _Steven (reprovingly)._ “You sockin’ old fox! You pretty white cat— I sink dear mama Should be told about dat.” _Dennis (sadly)._ It might be possible to corrupt the worthy Burgess, but, unless we could arrange for a rainy day, I don’t see that it would do us much good. The Anglo-Saxon doesn’t think much of ten miles. _Steven._ No; and the Wycherlys would be so hurt at a guest of theirs having such an accident that they would be doubly sweet to him. _Dennis._ What day did he say he would come? _Steven._ “Friday, or perhaps sooner.” _George._ I suppose the “D. & T.” can’t arrange one of their numerous accidents for that train? _Dennis (crossly)._ Of course not! Whoever heard of a timely railroad disaster? _George._ Oh, for a mishap of some kind! _Steven (springing to his feet and slapping his leg)._ Fellows, I have an inspiration!