_Rowell._ Gaylie, you must listen to me. You evade a question of the utmost importance to my welfare. I asked you, Do you love me? _Gaylie._ As you have asked me a dozen times in the last fortnight; and I answer you as I have before, Wait until the war is over. _Rowell._ Ah, but the war is over: there is no reason for delay. Gaylie, will you be my wife? _Gaylie._ That's a serious question, colonel. I'll consider it. _Rowell._ Gaylie, you'll drive me mad. _Gaylie._ Then I won't consider it: will that suit you? O colonel! do you suppose there have been any changes in the regiment? _Rowell._ Will you answer my question, Gaylie? _Gaylie._ Will you answer mine, colonel? _Rowell_ (_biting his lips_). I don't know; I don't care. Boxer, who took my place, has been made a brigadier-general; but, for the rest, I know nothing. _Gaylie._ I wonder if Rob Trueworth is still a private. Perhaps he's a captain, or a sergeant. I do hope he has risen. _Rowell._ You still have an interest in that fellow? _Gaylie._ Of course. Isn't he my brother? _Rowell_ (_aside_). That's good. She ignores the other tie. (_Aloud._) Now, Gaylie, speak. (_Takes her hand._) Surely my devotion deserves a recompense. Will you? (_Enter_ CRIMP, L., _with a lighted candle in each hand_.) _Crimp_ (_speaking as he enters_). Hi! Miss Gaylie, de hole _circumbendence_ ob de exterior ob de house up stairs am in a blaze ob glory; lights into all de windows, an' greeze all ober de glass and de carpets. Took sum pains up dar, I tole you. Shall I light dese yer windows, Miss Gaylie? _Gaylie._ No, Crimp, I will attend to this. _Crimp._ Yaas, indeed! I'm obleeged to you. Jes' put your bright eyes into de windows, and de illumination up stairs won't be no circumstance. I'll jes' stick 'em into de bay window, out yunder. [_Exit_ R. _Rowell_ (_runs to_ GAYLIE, _and puts his arm about her waist; takes her hand_). Gaylie, am I never to get an answer? Speak before we are again interrupted. (MRS. TRUEWORTH _appears_, L.) _Rowell_ (_goes_ L.). Confusion! Will this never end? _Gaylie._ Come in, mother. _Mrs. T._ No: when two young people are so closely interested in conversation, an old woman's presence is unpleasant. I'm not blind, Gaylie Gifford; and I'm not likely to hold my tongue, when I see injustice done one I love; so I'll go away. O Gaylie! Gaylie! have I been deceived in you? (_Going._) _Gaylie_ (_running to her_). No, mother, no! Believe me, trust me. _Mrs. T._ I try to, Gaylie; but it is so hard, so hard! [_Exit_ L. _Gaylie_ (_comes down_ R. _at table_). Have I wounded her dear heart? Am I doing right? _Rowell_ (_approaching_). Gaylie—