_Charles_ (_shakes hands_). Glad to see you, Dixie. Welcome.
_Dolby._ That’s hearty. Where’s your wife? Must see her, you know. I came to enjoy the beauties of the country, and you’ve the brightest and loveliest. I know you know--of course you know.
_Charles_ (_aside_). He knows, confound him! (_Aloud_) She’s out just now. You shall see her.
_Dolby._ Now let’s see--what shall we do first? There’s fishing, hunting, and making love to a pretty girl. I’ve only a day, and we must crowd lots of fun into ten hours.
_Charles._ Well, what say you to lunch first?
_Dolby._ Nothing for me, save a glass of warm milk from the hands of a dairymaid. I’ve come down here to breathe the country air. Stop a moment. I forgot that (_runs up to door_ C. _and stands breathing hard, and striking his breast_). Ah, that’s the sort; the invigorating air of the country. Ah! (_with a long breath_) there’s the first dose.
(_Enter_ NELLY, R. DOLBY _comes down_ L.)
_Charles._ And here’s the dairymaid. My sister, Dixie. Mr. Dixon Dolby, Nelly.
_Dolby._ Ah, delightful (_bows_). What a pretty girl! What cheeks! What a shape!
_Nelly._ Your first visit to the country, Mr. Dolby?
_Dolby._ I’m ashamed to say it is, Miss Nelly. But it’s delightful; such a quantity of trees and grass; houses not quite so plenty.
_Charles._ Mr. Dolby would like a glass of milk.
_Dolby._ Yes, thank you; cow’s milk, if the cows are at leisure.
_Nelly._ O, quite. I’ll bring it at once. [_Exit_ R.
_Dolby._ Charley, my boy, your sister’s a perfect beauty.
_Charles._ Sit down, Dolby (DOLBY _brings chair up to table_ L. CHARLES _brings one down from back; they sit_ R. _and_ L.) I had hopes that you would come down here heart-whole; but I learn that you are already engaged in a love affair.
_Dolby._ Don’t mention it (PERSIS _opens door, steps out, and listens_). The most absurd thing; a little country-house flirtation with a lady old enough to be my mother.
_Dolby._ Unfortunately, one evening I lay upon my bed, smoking and reading, with my door open into the passage, on the farther side of which is located the room of Miss Persis Grievous. Well, I dropped off to sleep, the pipe dropped from my mouth, and I was awakened by the cry of “fire,” and a brisk shaking from my female friend across the passage. I had set fire to the bed, which was easily put out; not so the flame which had been kindled in the breast of my fair but aged deliverer.