Yardsley (turning sharply about).  Eh?  Somebody spoke my name.  A man, too.  Great heavens!  I hope Jennie’s friend Hicks isn’t here.  I don’t want to have a scene with Hicks. (Discovering Barlow.) Oh—­ ah—­why—­hullo, Barlow!  You here?

Barlow (impatiently, aside).  Hang it!  Yardsley’s here too!  The man’s always turning up when he’s not wanted. (Aloud.) Ah! why, Bob, how are you?  What’re you doing here?

Yardsley.  What do you suppose—­tuning the piano?  I’m here because I want to be.  And you?

Barlow.  For the same reason that you are.

Yardsley (aside).  Gad!  I hope not. (Aloud.) Indeed?  The great mind act again?  Run in the same channel, and all that?  Glad to see you. (Aside.) May the saints forgive me that fib!  But this fellow must be got rid of.

Barlow (embarrassed).  So’m I. Always glad to see myself—­I mean you—­anywhere.  Won’t you sit down?

Yardsley.  Thanks.  Very kind of you, I’m sure. (Aside.) He seems very much at home.  Won’t I sit down?—­as if he’d inherited the chairs!  Humph!  I’ll show him.

Barlow.  What say?

Yardsley.  I—­ah—­oh, I was merely remarking that I thought it was rather pleasant out to-day.

Barlow.  Yes, almost too fine to be shut up in-doors.  Why aren’t you driving, or—­or playing golf, or—­ah—­or being out-doors somewhere?  You need exercise, old man; you look a little pale. (Aside.) I must get him away from here somehow.  Deuced awkward having another fellow about when you mean to propose to a woman.

Yardsley.  Oh, I’m well enough!

Barlow (solicitously).  You don’t look it—­by Jove you don’t.  (Suddenly inspired.) No, you don’t, Bob.  You overestimate your strength.  It’s very wrong to overestimate one’s strength.  People—­ ah—­people have died of it.  Why, I’ll bet you a hat you can’t start now and walk up to Central Park and back in an hour.  Come.  I’ll time you. (Rises and takes out watch.) It is now four ten.  I’ll wager you can’t get back here before five thirty.  Eh?  Let me get your hat.

[Starts for door.

Yardsley (with a laugh).  Oh no; I don’t bet—­after four.  But I say, did you see Billie Wilkins?

Barlow (returning in despair).  Nope.

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.