Dex. (_l.c._) Nothing, dear boy--nothing for myself. I have only brought a letter from my little girl, and am to take back an answer. (_Produces letter and hands to Allen._) I’m only Cupid to you young folks. Ha! Hat Only Cupid. Allen. Ah, they usen’t to wrap ’em up so much when I wur young. (_Crosses R., opens and reads letter._) Dex. (_Who is very much wrapped and buttoned up, laughs with much ostentation._) Ha! Ha! Very good, very good. We really must bring you out more, Allen. Ha! Ha! Ha! Allen. (_Who has sat r.in front of desk, reading._) “My darling Popsy-wopsy.” (_Looks up puzzled and round at Dex. Aside._) That ain’t Clara’s usual style. (_Reads._) “I am so terribly sorry to worry my own darling boy, but I am in such fearful trouble--I want £100 to pay some debts owing to a wicked man having cheated us. Would my own darling lend it to his broken-hearted little blossom, and don’t say anything to me afterwards until I pay you back, as I shall be so ashamed of it. I send papa with this. He knows nothing about it, so please don’t tell him--he is so proud.--(_Allen looks at Dex., who turns away and tries to assume airy unconsciousness_)--and would be so angry with me, but you are the only friend I have. Oh, my darling, do let me have the money or I shall go mad. A million, million kisses to my own sweet, precious lubby-dubby from his ever loving little birdie, Clara.” (_Dex. sits c._) “P. S.--Please don’t cross the cheque.” (_Takes cheque-book from desk and begins to write._) Was Clara ill when she wrote this? Dex. (_Who is sitting at table L.c. having wine._) No, my dear boy--oh, no. Allen. Oh, because the writing seems a bit shaky like, and the letter so funny--thought maybe she wur a bit queer. Dex. (_Confused._) Oh--ah--yes. She was a little queer--very shaky indeed--and she seemed very much worried, too, she wouldn’t tell me what about. She tries to keep all her trouble away from her old father, dear child. (_Enter Clara unseen by either._) Ah, I know how anxiously she’s waiting for me now. “Come back soon, dear, dear papa,” she said--“and bring it with you.” (_Crying r.c._) (_Allen having put the cheque in an envelope rises and crosses and holds it to Dex. Clara steps forward and takes it._) Clara. Thank you! (_c. of the two men._) Allen. Miss Dexter! Dex. Clara! Clara. This letter is addressed to me, I believe. (_Opens it and takes out cheque, which she returns to Allen._) It’s very kind of you, Mr. Rollitt, but I do not require it. Allen, (_r._) Didn’t thee write for it? (_Showing letter to her._) Isn’t this thy letter? Clara. (_Looking at it._) It is the first time I have seen it. It has the appearance of having been written by someone who was drunk over night--possibly my father--imitating other people’s handwriting is one of the few things at which he has attained eminence. (_Looks at Dex._) Dex. Clara, my dear!