Part 3 (1/2)

SEL. Ah! It may have been chilly where you were, it's been warm _here_. In fact, yesterday was the warmest day I remember!

GRACE (aside to MRS. SELWYN). Don't forget to tell him all about Corney!

MRS. S. (aside to GRACE). Presently, child.

GRACE. He may be here at any moment, you know! (GRACE up C. at window.)

MRS. S. (close behind SELWYN). Sam, do _you_ know a Mr.

Tompkins?

SEL. (paralyzed by the suddenness of the question). Tom--Tom Tompkins! (Aside.) Has she found me out?

MRS. S. (quietly). No, dear, not Tom Tompkins--Horace Tompkins.

SEL. I never saw, heard of, or spoke to a person of that name in all my life!

MRS. S. He's the new society poet and author of Midnight Moans. I hear they've made quite a noise!

SEL. No doubt, but I'm not partial to moans.

MRS. S. The book was only lent me for an hour, and I am so interested that I want Frederick to go out and buy a copy.

GRACE (aside, C., rather vexed). I think ma might speak to pa about Captain Katskill instead of her stupid poetry!

SEL. Fred! Oh! He'll soon get it for you! Stop, though, I forgot, he's gone out!

MRS. S. So early?

SEL. Yes. (To MRS. SELWYN, L.)

MRS. S. Ah! here he is back again!

Enter FRED quickly, at back, out of breath and with large Directory under his arm. He puts down Directory.

SEL. (Aside). He surely cannot have tracked that Tompkins to his lair already?

FRED. Good morning, Mrs. Selwyn, hope you have enjoyed your trip. (To SELWYN, aside). I say, old fellow, I forgot it after all!

SEL. (aside to FRED). Forgot what?

FRED (aside). The hat!

SEL. Horror, where did you leave it?

FRED (aside). Here! (Points to hat just as MRS. SELWYN casually picks it up.)

MRS. S. Who's is this? (Looking inside.) Tompkins!

SEL. (aside to FRED). Claim it!

FRED (to MRS. SELWYN). It's mine!