(Mimicking JACK.) Haw! (Exit CADDIE followed by TOM.)

  JACK. My precious! The gates are locked, but we can cross the

  river.

  BAB. I have been thinking that — I’m not sure whether it is

  you or Tom I prefer.

  JACK. That is awkward.

  BAB. Before I decide I want to ask you both two questions.

  JACK. What are they?

  BAB. First, why did my heart beat so violently last night?

  JACK. It was because — because I am so worthy of its love.

  Haw!

  BAB (aside). H’m! Vanity!

  JACK (aside). Good answer I think. Hope I shall get round

  her wealthy papa as easily.

  BAB. Second, will you still love me when I am old and

  wrinkled?

  JACK (aside). I question it. (Aloud.) Don’t talk of anything

  so unpleasant, dear. Let us try to think that we shall

  always be young and handsome.

  BAB (aside). I don’t like that answer.

  JACK (aside). I flatter myself I got out of that bunker very

  neatly.

  TOM re-enters.

  BAB. Now go, while I ask Tom.

  JACK (aside). She’s mine! Haw! Haw! (Exit.)

  DUET. — BAB and TOM.

  BAB. Last night when we were forced to part

  I heard a pit-a-pat

  Upon the window of my heart —

  Tom, tell me what was that?

  Oh, tell me true,

  For I’m a little maid,

  Of all the world afraid.

  TOM. ‘Twas my heart which would entrance win,

  ‘Twas ‘neath the window hiding,

  You raised the sash, and said “Come in,”

  And there it’s now residing.

  BAB. Tom, will your love grow cold to me

  When silvered is my hair?

  Or do you make believe that we

  Shall aye be young and fair?

  Oh, tell me true,

  For I’m a little maid,

  Of all the world afraid.

  TOM. Eternal youth’s for no one here,

  That secret’s to discover;

  But when you’re old and grey, my dear,

  I still will be your lover.

  BOTH. I’ve/He’s told her/me true

  This little maid

  No longer is afraid.

  Come joy or strife,

  Come weal or woe,

  Sunshine or stormy weather,

  As man and wife

  We’ll face the foe,

  And face him thus together.

  TOM. Oh, Bab — you will be my wife?

  BAB. Yes, if you want me very, very much, Tom.

  Enter BULLDOGS and PROCTOR softly R. TOM sees them and flies L.

  BULLDOGS rush after him and exeunt.

  BAB. Oh! (Jumps into PROCTOR’s arms.) Saved!

  PROCTOR. Caught, you mean.

  BAB. No, saved.

  PROCTOR. Eh, what? I don’t understand.

  BAB. I was only going with him because he promised to take

  me to you.

  PROCTOR. To me?

  BAB. Oh, I feel so safe now that I have reached you — you

  are so solid and satisfying, like a great plum pudding,

  you know.

  PROCTOR. You mean well, my child, I have no doubt; but you have

  an unfortunate way of expressing yourself. (He puts arm

  round her. TOM rushes across stage and exit. He is

  followed by BULLDOGS. They stop when they see PROCTOR

  and BAB.)

  GREG. Hullo!

  SIM. Ahem!

  PROCTOR. What do you mean?

  SIM. Beg pardon, but your arm you know — eh?

  PROCTOR (fiercely). What about my arm?

  GREG. It is round — don’t you see?

  PROCTOR. I do not.

  GREG. Allow me. (Takes PROCTOR’s arm off BAB.)

  PROCTOR. Oh, thanks!

  BAB. Oh, there is Miss Sims! Save me, Mr. Proctor!

  PROCTOR. In here, quick! (Pushes BAB into arbour.) She is a nice

  girl. (To BULLDOGS.) Remember, you have not seen any

  girl here, if you are asked.

  GREG. Not here! Why, she is in the arbour.

  PROCTOR. There is no one in the arbour. What you see is — is an

  optical illusion. Furthermore, my orders to you are

  that you see no one in the arbour for the next half-

  hour, do you hear?

  SIM. We — we hear.

  PROCTOR (aside). In half an hour I am sure I can convince Bab

  of the error of her ways. (Aloud.) And stop, if any one

  inquires for me, I am — I am — gathering flowers by

  the river’s brim. Do you — do you —

  GREG. Twig?

  PROCTOR. Yes, twig?

  SIM and GREG. We twig.

  PROCTOR. Good. (Goes to BAB.)

  GREG. Now, Sim, do you give him up?

  SIM (after a struggle). No!

  Exeunt L., expostulating with each other.

  BAB. I knew that you would save me.

  PROCTOR. Yes, but you must me a good girl in future. You know

  it’s best in the long run.

  BAB. Oh, how beautifully you talk!

  PROCTOR. To be happy you must be good.

  BAB. Yes, but to be awfully, dreadfully, excruciatingly

  happy, you must be naughty. But I am sure I should be

  good if Miss Sims would talk to me as you have done.

  PROCTOR. Really! Do you mind my calling you Baby?

  BAB. Not at all. May I call you Little One?

  PROCTOR. Certainly. Do you know I feel a strange something

  creeping over me!

  BAB. So do I.

  PROCTOR. I like it!

  BAB. So do I.

  PROCTOR. Yum yum!

  BAB. So do I.

  DUET. — BAB and PROCTOR.

  PROCTOR. I’m a man of erudition,

  And a scorner of frivolities,

  With loftiest ambition,

  And most domineering qualities.

  The rowdiest grow meeker

  When I fix them with this eye;

  But I feel I’m growing weaker,

  And I don’t know why —

  No I don’t — not I.

  I’m growing quite gelatinous, and can’t guess why.

  BAB. I’m just a little girlie,

  Who still am in my teens, you know.

  For love it’s much too early,

  And I can’t guess what it means, you know.

  But since I saw that simper,

  And the twinkle of that eye,

  I feel I’m growing limper,

  And I can’t guess why —

  No I can’t — not I.

  I’m growing quite invertebrate, and can’t tell why.

  PROCTOR. I’ve a will that’s adamantine,

  And my nerve is quite unshakable,

  My strength is elephantine,

  And my spirit is unbreakable,

  I cow the flippant cabby,

  I can make the coster cry,

  Yet I feel I’m growing flabby,

  And I can’t tell why —

  No I can’t — not I.

  I’m growing quite blanc-mangeical, and can’t tell why.

  BAB. I’m just a little dolly,

  With an uneventful history,

  They tell me love is jolly

  But to me it’s still a mystery.

  I love my playthings dearly,

  And my dolls and apple pie,

  But I’m feeling, oh, so queerly,

  And I can’t tell why —

  No I can’t — not I.

  I’m growing quite gutta-perchical, and can’t tell why.

  PROCTOR. I fancy that this weakness

  May seem to you undignified.

  BAB. Ah me, these words of meekness,

  Now tell me what they signified?

  BOTH. Your love can hide no longer,

  It beckons from your eye;

  We’re unquestionably stronger,

  And we both know why.

  Do you? So do I.

  We are feeling dry-champagnified,

  And both know why.

  BAB. Oh, how nice-looking you are! You would look so pretty

  with this round your neck. (Puts her long boa round.)

  Now, it should come across your chest like that.

  (PROCTOR smiles indulgently). Then round like this, and

  fasten so. (Ties it behind the chair and fastens it.

  Then laughs and claps her hands.)

  PROCTOR (struggling to rise). What is this? What do you mean?

  BAB. Oh, he mustn’t make a noise. (Puts a handkerchief round

  his mouth. PROCTOR glares horribly and frowns.) Ha! ha!

  ha! (Goes up stage calling “Tom!” PROCTOR gurgles. The

  BULLDOGS enter and stand one on each side of the

  arbour.)

  GREG. There is no one in the arbour, Sim.

  SIM. N — No. (PROCTOR gurgles.) I thought —

  GREG. So did I. But it’s only an optical illusion, Sim.

  SIM. So it is, Greg. I wonder where the Proctor is?

  GREG. He is gathering flowers by the river’s brim.

  BULLDOGS close arbour and retire.

  Enter TOM.

  TOM. Now, darling, are you ready?

  BAB. My own! (They embrace.)

  Enter JACK followed by JANE ANNIE.

  JACK (aside). I am sure she will choose me. Eh — ah — ho -

  - what’s this?

  BAB. Don’t you see?

  JACK. I wish I didn’t. Haw!

  BAB. Jane Annie, you promised to help me if I took Tom.

  JANE A. And I shall.

  JACK (aside). That unpleasant girl again.

  TOM. But what can you do?

  JANE A. One of the letters I made Miss Sims write was to the

  livery stables, requesting that a carriage should be

  sent to the other side of the river at two o’clock

  today. It is there now.

  TOM. Are you sure?

  JANE A. Listen! (She whistles — an answering whistle is

  heard.) See, there it is! (A carriage is seen driving

  up.)

  BAB. Let us cross at once.

  JANE ANNIE signs to carriage to go on, and it goes out of sight.

  CADDIE (entering). You can’t get away. Ho! ho!

  BAB. Why not?

  CADDIE. Because I’ve locked the boat-house and hidden the key.

  JACK. Good boy!

  CADDIE. That’s a stimie for you.

  TOM. Quick, the key!

  CADDIE. Sha’n’t!

  BAB. What’s to be done?

  JANE A. Leave him to me. (Hypnotizes CADDIE.) Now give me the

  key.

  CADDIE begins to undress.

  JACK. What is he doing?

  TOM. The key must be concealed about his person.

  BAB. This is becoming improper.

  TOM. Wait a moment. (To CADDIE.) Caddie, where is the key?

  CADDIE whispers to him. TOM whistles and whispers to JACK, who

  rubs his hands gleefully.)

  BAB. Tom, do something with him at once!

  TOM (primly). If Caddie will retire with me to some

  secluded spot for a few moments I shall return with the

  key.

  Exeunt TOM and CADDIE.

  BAB. Goodbye, Jane Annie, dear.

  JANE A. But I am coming with you.

  BAB. You?

  JANE A. Yes, and so is Jack.

  JACK. Not I.

  JANE A. Silly boy, yes, you are. Tom is eloping with Bab, and

  you are eloping with me.

  JACK. I’ll see you far enough first.

  JANE A. Isn’t he shy?

  TOM (entering). The key!

  BAB. Jane Annie proposes that she and Jack should come with

  us.

  TOM. But the carriage will seat only two.

  JANE A. Well, that won’t matter.

  BAB. Won’t it? (JANE ANNIE chuckles.) Oh Tom! Jane Annie and

  I see no difficulty.

  TIM. How? (He and JACK chuckle.) Do you agree?

  JACK. If you will exchange girls. Haw!

  TOM. Never!

  BAB. Come, Tom.

  JANE A. Come, Jack, and make it a foursome.

  JACK. This girl terrifies me. I’ll bolt. (Exit.)

  JANE A. Come back. (To TOM.) Don’t go without us. (Exit.)

  BAB. Now let us fly at once.

  TOM. Would it not be a little shabby?

  BAB. Not in the least.

  Bell begins to toll.

  BAB. We are betrayed.

  TOM. It is Jack — the villain — I see him.

  BAB. Quick, we have time yet.

  They are going to the boat-house. CADDIE appears.

  CADDIE. Back! (They run L. Enter MISS SIMS, L.)

  MISS S. Back! (They run R. Enter JACK, R.)

  JACK. Back!

  The GIRLS, STUDENTS, and OFFICERS rush on.

  MISS S. Seize them! (JACK seizes TOM, and CADDIE seizes BAB.)

  TOM. Infamous!

  JANE A. It isn’t his hole yet! (Hypnotizes MISS SIMS.)

  BAB. She is hypnotized!

  ALL. Oh, wonderful!

  JANE A. Now, see what I shall make her do.

  SEXTET. — JANE ANNIE, MISS SIMS, BAB, PROCTOR, JACK, and TOM.

  JANE ANNIE. You’re now a sentimental maid,

  The little god caressing,

  Dear mistress, we can’t have it said

  We went without your blessing.

  JANE ANNIE, BAB, TOM, and JACK kneel, JANE ANNIE forcing JACK to

  do so.

  QUARTET. We’re kneeling, sentimental maid,

  Awaiting for your blessing.

  ALL. We hear with wonder what they’ve said,

  But will she give her blessing?

  MISS S. I’m now a sentimental thing,

  And hear with pride and joy,

  The news, which you two darlings bring,

  That each has found a boy.

  Elope, my dears? Why, certainly,

  ‘Tis every schoolgirl’s mission,

  And tell your parents you had my

  Approval and permission.

  ALL. Their conduct’s praised, we are amazed,

  Miss Sims doth sympathize.

  Now let us sing of this wonderful thing,

  With a hyp-hyp-hypnotize!

  PROCTOR rushes in from arbour with seat tied to him.

  PROCTOR. Stop! Though this Bab has used me ill —

  BAB. Oh, how I wish I’d shot him!

  PROCTOR. My triumph’s coming now —

  TOM. Stand still!

  STUDENTS get Kodaks ready.

  PROCTOR. Eh, what?

  TOM. All ready? (Click.) Got him.

  JANE ANNIE hypnotizes PROCTOR.

  JANE ANNIE. You’re now a somewhat soft old boy,

  Whate’er the consequences,

  Be yours the privilege and joy

  To pay all our expenses.

  QUARTET. We’re kneeling, somewhat soft old boy,

  Requesting our expenses.

  ALL. Now is he such a soft old boy

  That he’ll pay their expenses?

  PROCTOR. I’m now a very soft old boy, (Hear, hear.)

  Elopements are my passion,

  So with delight without alloy

  I’ll help you in this fashion.

  It’s sometimes said that gold’s a curse. (No, no!)

  And love the only candy,

  But, Tom, to you I give my purse —

  I think you’ll find it handy. (Cheers.)

  ALL. Tho’ love is honey, they’ve taken the money,

  And he doth sympathize;

  With this strange thing, his college will ring,

  With a hyp-hyp-hypnotize!

  Dance. TOM and BAB go in boat.

  JANE A. (to MISS SIMS). Now go and be a tea-pot. (To PROCTOR).

  And you are an escape of gas.

  JACK. I wish I was well out of this.

  JANE A. Come, Jack.

  JACK. I refuse.

  JANE A. (hypnotizes him). You are my lover!

  JACK. Darling! (He goes to boat.)