Mrs. H. And has gone in town to meet us there? Good gracious! I hope not. Well, we will wait a little while and see. But it is rather awkward for two ladies to be visiting a college room in the evening in this way, even if I am the mother of the occupant.
Miss H. I think it is lots of fun. What a jolly room he has. I wish I were a boy.
Mrs. H. Under the present circumstances, my dear, I wish so too. He has arranged his room pretty well for a man.
Miss H. Now, let us look at all his things. We will begin with the mantel-piece.
[They both turn toward mantel, backs to room.]
[Enter Burleigh from his bedroom in evening trousers, no coat or waistcoat, and four or five white cravats in his hand. Without seeing the visitors, he crosses the room to the looking-glass, which hangs on the wall opposite the fireplace, where the visitors are standing.]
Burl. [to himself]. Now for the great agony. Oh, life is very short for this sort of thing. If Steve's family could only see me tying my cravat, they would realize what devotion—[Suddenly sees women in the glass and starts.] Good Lord! [Turns head slowly and looks at Mrs. and Miss H. whose backs are still turned.] Oh, what in Heaven's name shall I do? I can't get back to my room. Ha! the screen! [Dives behind a tall screen near the glass.]
Miss H. Look at all these pipes! And what a horrid smell of tobacco!
Mrs. H. I see that Steve's chum, Mr. Burleigh, smokes.
Burl. [aside over screen]. And Jack Randolph just made the horrid smell with one of Steve's weeds.