THE GIRL:  (Leaning her parasol against bench, and stepping up to him in very business-like manner.) Very well, then.  I accept your challenge.  You can’t bluff me out.  I believe that ALL men lie when they talk to women, and I am under the impression that you are no exception.  Keep your hands up in the air—­promise?

THE FELLOW:  I promise.

THE GIRL:  This is the first time I’ve ever held up anybody, but here goes. (She searches his right-hand pocket.) I don’t suppose you’ve ever been robbed before?

THE FELLOW:  Oh, yes—­I was once surrounded by a band of robbers.

THE GIRL:  (Still searching.) Indeed!  On a public highway?

THE FELLOW:  (Still holding up his hands.) No, in a New York hotel cafe.  They were the waiters.

THE GIRL:  (Taking her hand out of right-hand pocket.) Well, there’s nothing in that one but a box of matches.  How about this one?  (She thrusts her hand into the lower left-hand pocket, and pulls out a letter, written on dainty writing paper.) Ah! this is what I expected to find.  Perfumed note paper. (She looks at it critically.) Yes, this is the one—­no need to search further.

THE FELLOW:  What the devil!—­(His hands drop to his sides, and he opens his eyes in amazement.)

THE GIRL:  (Turning on him angrily.) Sir—­such language!

THE FELLOW:  Oh, I beg your pardon—­but—­but—­(He points to letter.) I—­I—­that letter isn’t mine.  I can’t understand how it got into my pocket.  I—­(Suddenly a look of enlightenment comes into his face.  Aside, he says.) By thunder!—­I had forgotten all about it.  This suit of clothes belongs to Tommy Higgins.  Oh, what a mess I’ve made of it.  She’ll never believe me now if I tell her I am wearing another fellow’s suit. (To her, excitedly.) Say—­listen to me, honestly that letter was not written to me, Tommy Higgins, you see—­

THE GIRL:  (Waving him aside.) No excuses.  You probably thought you didn’t have it with you.  Falsehoods are always found out, you see.  I was right.  You are like all the rest of the men—­a born liar—­only with this difference—­you are a bigger liar than the average.  You are really in a class all by yourself. (With the letter held out before her, she scans it eagerly.)

Oh, this is immense!—­this is delicious!

THE FELLOW:  (Making a grab for the letter.) Give that to me, please.

THE GIRL:  Not on your life.  It may not be proper to read other people’s letters, but the present circumstances are unusual.  I shall certainly read it—­and read it aloud.  I want to make you swallow every word and see how they agree with you.  Listen to I this, you barbaric Ananias. (She reads aloud.) “My beloved Affinity—­Come back to town next Saturday without fail.  Just slip away from the other boys at the camp.  Tell them that an important business matter demands your presence in the city.  I am crazy to see you.  Life without you is very stupid.  Come to me, my dearest, without delay.