Pearl. (aside to him) And me too!
Plant. (savagely to Pearl) I shall lock you up in our room, miss, for the rest of the day.
Ruby. (ruefully) Oh, papa, how unkind!
Plant. (aside to Ruby) And you too! (aside) I can get on better without you. (to Doctor. stroking their hair) Ah, Doctor. the man who would dare to rob me of my precious jewels, Ruby and Pearl. will have much to answer for.
Doctor. Don't distress yourself, no man would be so heartless, (looking through microscope)
Plant. Ahem! Not such a fool as he looks! These girls are no match for him. I must get him alone. (aloud) Well, Doctor. we mustn't waste your precious time; I see you're busy.
Doctor. No, no, not on a Friday, to-morrow's my day. (nearly dances, checks himself, aside—to Plant) Besides I'm expecting an old school fellow directly, he's a lieutenant in the navy, and my greatest friend.
(Consternation of Ruby and Pearl.)
You must stop.
Plant. My dear Jack, we should be charmed to meet any friend of yours, but really during our short stay in town we have so many engagements, (to Ruby) Say good-bye and kiss him!