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—”