[Palpitating.] Oh, don't, Tyler! How can you 'ave such a 'ankering?

TYLER.

[Intensely.] It's more than a 'ankering. I love to 'oard 'em and meller 'em. To-day they're damp—to-morrow they're dry. And when the time comes for to let them off—

JANE.

Then they don't go off—

TYLER.

[Putting the fireworks away.] P'r'aps not—and it's their 'orrible uncertainty wot I crave after. Lift your end, Jane. [They take up the trunk as Gwendoline Hawkins and Ermyntrude Johnson, two pretty girls, the one gushing, the other haughty in manner, appear in the hall.]

GWENDOLINE.

Here are Miss Dyott's boxes—she is really going to-day. I am so happy!

ERMYNTRUDE.