Enter Bradley.

Bradley.  Has she come yet?

Yardsley.  No—­just gone up-stairs for a shawl-strap.

Bradley.  Shawl-strap?  Who?

Perkins (outside).  Hurry up with that Pond’s Extract, will you?

Yardsley.  All right—­coming.  Who?  Who what?

Bradley.  Who has gone up-stairs after shawl-strap—­my wife?

Yardsley.  No, no, no.  Hasn’t she got here yet?  It’s Mrs. Perkins.  Perk fell off just now and broke in two.  We want to fasten him together.

Barlow (outside).  Bring out that pump.  His wheel’s flabby.

Enter Mrs. Perkins with shawl-strap.

Mrs. Perkins.  Here it is.  What did I hear about Pond’s Extract? 
Didn’t somebody call for it?

Yardsley.  No—­oh no—­not a bit of it!  What you heard was shawl-strap—­sounds like extract—­very much like it.  In fact—­

Bradley.  But you did say you wanted—­

Yardsley (aside to Bradley).  Shut up!  Thaddeus banged his ankle, but he’ll get over it in a minute.  She’d only worry.  The best bicyclers in the world are all the time falling off, taking headers, and banging their ankles.

Bradley.  Poor Emma!

Enter Barlow.

Barlow.  Where the deuce is that Ex—­

Yardsley (grasping him by the arm and pushing him out).  Here it is; this is the ex-strap, just what we wanted. (Aside to Bradley.) Go down to the drug-store and get a bottle of Pond’s, will you? [Exit.

Mrs. Perkins (walking to window).  She can’t be long in coming now.

Bradley.  I guess I’ll go out to the corner again. (Aside.) Best bicyclers always smashing ankles, falling off, taking headers!  If I ever get hold of Emma again, I’ll see whether she’ll ride that—­ [Rushes out.

Mrs. Perkins.  It seems to have made these men crazy.  I never saw such strange behavior in all my life. (The telephone-bell rings.) What can that be? (Goes to ’phone, which stands just outside parlor door.) Hello!  What?  Yes, this is 1181—­yes.  Who are you?  What?  Emma?  Oh dear, I’m so glad!  Are you alive?  Where are you?  What? Where? The police-station! (Turning from telephone.) Thaddeus, Mr. Barlow, Mr. Yardsley. (Into telephone.) Hello!  What for?  What?  Riding without a lamp!  Arrested at Forty-second Street!  Want to be bailed out? (Drops receiver.  Rushes into parlor and throws herself on sofa.) To think of it—­Emma Bradley! (Telephone-bell rings violently again; Mrs. Perkins goes to it.) Hello!  Yes.  Tell Ed what?  To ask for Mrs. Willoughby Hawkins.  Who’s she?  What, you! (Drops the receiver; runs to window.) Thaddeus!  Mr. Yardsley!  Mr. Barlow!—­all of you come here, quick.

[They rush in.  Perkins with shawl-strap about his waist—­limping.  Barlow has large air-pump in his hand.  Mrs. Perkins grows faint.

Perkins.  Great heavens!  What’s the matter?