while her son stands haughtily at attention. COLONEL, with a groan, 'Hst, I think you had better go and get that evening paper.' Cosmo departs with his flag flying, and the bewildered husband seeks enlightenment. 'Smacked his face. But why, Alice?' ALICE. 'He infuriated me.' COLONEL. 'He seems such a good boy.' ALICE, the lowly, 'No doubt he is. It must be very trying to have me for a mother.' COLONEL. 'Perhaps you were too demonstrative?' ALICE. 'I daresay. A woman he doesn't know! No wonder I disgusted him.' COLONEL. 'I can't make it out.' ALICE, abjectly, 'It's quite simple. He saw through me at once; so did baby.' The Colonel flings up his hands. He hears whisperings outside the door. He peeps and returns excitedly. COLONEL. 'Alice, there's a girl there with Cosmo.' ALICE, on her feet, with a cry, 'Amy.' COLONEL, trembling, 'I suppose so.' ALICE, gripping him, 'Robert, if _she_ doesn't love me I shall die.' COLONEL. 'She will, she will.' But he has grown nervous. 'Don't be too demonstrative, dearest.' ALICE. 'I shall try to be cold. Oh, Amy, love me.' Amy comes, her hair up, and is at once in her father's arms. Then she wants to leap into the arms of the mother who craves for her. But Alice is afraid of being too demonstrative, and restrains herself. She presses Amy's hands only. ALICE. 'It is you, Amy. How are you, dear?' She ventures at last to kiss her. 'It is a great pleasure to your father and me to see you again.'