(Ruby and Pearl sit down and pretend to be suffering.)
Doctor. (to girls) All right! All be patients. It'll impress auntie, (takes off dressing-gown and flings it into bathroom, is just going in—stops) No! No time to change, (snatches his frock coat off chair, and buttons it over his pyjamas) Remember! This is the supreme moment of my life. Whatever I say to you—whatever I do to you—you mustn't mind.
Ruby and Pearl. We won't, (stifling a laugh)
Doctor. Hush!
(Enter Andrew dressed as Aunt, followed by Waverly.)
(to Andrew) My dear aunt, I'm so glad to see you. Won't you sit down? (leads him down to sofa)
(Pearl runs to Waverly, and drags him down O. P. corner.)
Pearl. Come and sit here! Pretend to be a patient! Waver. Why?
(Pearl explains in dumb show.)
Doctor. (at settee to Andrew) I must apologize for this worn-out attire—I'm always worn out on Friday, my worst day. I wish you'd come any other day. No! I don't mean that! I mean I'm awfully glad you've come to-day, but I'm awfully sorry I'm so busy I can't talk to you. No, no! I don't mean that! I mean I'm awfully glad, of course, that I'm so busy I can't talk to you! No, no, of course I don't mean that—I mean—I don't quite know what I do mean. You see it's Friday—oh! what a fool she must think me! Will you excuse me just two minutes while I settle off a few patients?