Yardsley. What do you suppose tuning the piano? I'm here because I want to be. And you?
Barlow. For the same reason that you are.
Yardsley (aside). Gad! I hope not. (Aloud.) Indeed? The great mind act again? Run in the same channel, and all that? Glad to see you. (Aside.) May the saints forgive me that fib! But this fellow must be got rid of.
Barlow (embarrassed). So'm I. Always glad to see myself I mean you anywhere. Won't you sit down?
Yardsley. Thanks. Very kind of you, I'm sure. (Aside.) He seems very much at home. Won't I sit down? as if he'd inherited the chairs! Humph! I'll show him.
Barlow. What say?
Yardsley. I ah oh, I was merely remarking that I thought it was rather pleasant out to-day.
Barlow. Yes, almost too fine to be shut up in-doors. Why aren't you driving, or or playing golf, or ah or being out-doors somewhere? You need exercise, old man; you look a little pale. (Aside.) I must get him away from here somehow. Deuced awkward having another fellow about when you mean to propose to a woman.
Yardsley. Oh, I'm well enough!
Barlow (solicitously). You don't look it by Jove, you don't. (Suddenly inspired.) No, you don't, Bob. You overestimate your strength. It's very wrong to overestimate one's strength. People ah people have died of it. Why, I'll bet you a hat you can't start now and walk up to Central Park and back in an hour. Come. I'll time you. (Rises and takes out watch.) It is now four-ten. I'll wager you can't get back here before five-thirty. Eh? Let me get your hat.
[Starts for door.
Yardsley (with a laugh). Oh no; I don't bet after four. But I say, did you see Billie Wilkins?
Barlow (returning in despair). Nope.
Yardsley (aside). Now for a bit of strategy. (Aloud.) He was looking for you at the club. (Aside.) Splendid lie! (Aloud.) Had seats for the ah the Metropolitan to-night. Said he was looking for you. Wants you to go with him. (Aside.) That ought to start him along.
Barlow. I'll go with him.
Yardsley (eagerly). Well, you'd better let him know at once, then. Better run around there and catch him while there's time. He said if he didn't see you before half-past four he'd get Tom Parker to go. Fine show to-night. Wouldn't lose the opportunity if I were you. (Looking at his watch.) You'll just about have time to do it now if you start at once.
[Grasps Barlow by arm, and tries to force him out. Barlow holds back, and is about to remonstrate, when Dorothy enters. Both men rush to greet her; Yardsley catches her left hand, Barlow her right.
Dorothy (slightly embarrassed). Why, how do you do this is an unexpected pleasure both of you? Excuse my left hand, Mr. Yardsley; I should have given you the other if if you'd given me time.
Yardsley. Don't mention it, I pray. The unexpectedness is wholly mine, Miss Andrews I mean ah the pleasure is
Barlow. Wholly mine.
Dorothy (withdrawing her hands from both and sitting down). I haven't seen either of you since the Perkinses' dance. Wasn't it a charming affair?
Yardsley. Delightful I ah I didn't know that the Perkinses
Barlow (interrupting). It was a good deal of a crush, though. As Mrs. Van Darling said to me, "You always meet "
Yardsley. It's a pity Perkins isn't more of a society man, though, don't you think?
Dorothy. Oh, I don't know. I've always found him very pleasant. He is so sincere.
Barlow. Isn't he, though? He looked bored to death all through the dance.
Yardsley. I thought so too. I was watching him while you were talking to him, Barlow, and such a look of ennui I never saw on a man's face.
Barlow. Humph!
Dorothy. Are you going to Mrs. Van Darling's dinner?
Barlow. Yes; I received my bid last night. You?
Dorothy. Oh yes!
Yardsley (gloomily). I can't go very well. I'm ah engaged for Tuesday.
Barlow. Well, I hope you've let Mrs. Van Darling know. She's a stickler for promptness in accepting or declining her invitations. If you haven't, I'll tell her for you. I'm to see her to-night.
Yardsley. Oh no! Never mind. I'll I'll attend to it.
Barlow. Oh, of course. But it's just as well she should know in advance. You might forget it, you know. I'll tell her; it's no trouble to me.
Dorothy. Of course not, and she can get some one to take your place.