SCENE IV.—_Same as Scene II. Bed with curtains drawn. Some one

tries the door, L. MR. C. parts the curtains, and looks out._

MR. C. What’s to pay now, I wonder? I believe I shall have more adventures in this one night than I met with all the time I was abroad. (_Great pounding at the door._) Halloo there! Don’t break the door down. What’s wanted?

MR. L. (_outside_). Open this door at once, in the name of the law.

MR. C. Well, well, wait a minute. (_He steps out of bed, thrusts his feet in slippers, then goes and opens the door. Seems astonished at seeing so many strange faces. They enter,—MR. L. and PHILIP pass to R.; the rest remain at L.,—eying him cautiously, but concealing their weapons behind them._)

MR. L. Well, sir, what do you mean by entering my house at night, and frightening this lady (_turning to AUNT R._) in such a manner?

MR. C. I think I can explain it satisfactorily, sir; but I must first ask a few questions. Is your name Lewis?

MR. L. It is.

MR. C. How long have you occupied this house?

MR. L. (_puzzled_). About a month.

MR. C. What was the name of the former occupant?

MR. L. His name was Lewis, also. I bought the house of him.

MR. C. _My_ name is Campbell. I am a brother of the other Mrs. Lewis. I have been travelling abroad for the last two years, and arrived here late last evening. Having a latch-key, and being ignorant of the change of owners, I entered, but was disappointed at not finding any one at home. The servant said the family were away at a party, and offered to conduct me to my room when I was ready to retire. She said Mrs. Lewis _was expecting her brother_.

MRS. L. I was expecting him, but he didn’t come.

MR. C. Under these circumstances, and misled by the name, I had no suspicion that I was trespassing. I therefore told the servant I could easily find the way to my room, as I had slept there many times before. I must apologize to this lady (_turning to AUNT R._) for giving her such a fright, which I assure her was entirely unintentional on my part.

MR. L. (_laughing_). Your explanation is perfectly satisfactory, sir. Mr. Arthur Lewis lives three blocks farther down-town. But it is late, and you must be our guest for the remainder of the night. We will furnish you with another bed, and——

A. R. (_interrupting him indignantly_). Do you suppose I would sleep in that bed after a man had slept there? Never! Let him stay here the rest of the night, if he wants to. I shall sleep in the other chamber myself.

PHIL. That’s it, Aunt Rachel. Stand up for your rights.

MRS. L. Very well, let it be arranged so. And we’d better all retire, for it is already an hour past midnight.

MR. C. I thank you all for your hospitality, and hope in the morning to be able to vindicate my character more fully.

MR. L. That is quite unnecessary. Your statement is entirely satisfactory. (_Turns to go out, L._)

PHIL. (_to A. R._) Hadn’t you better take your braids and curls and things, Aunt Rachel? Mr. Campbell won’t have any use for them, and you look better with them on than you do without.

A. R. (_hastily putting her hand to head—mortified_). I didn’t expect, when I put this cap on, to receive callers. (_Goes and gets things from table._)

MR. C. You are very excusable, under the circumstances.

A. R. (_bowing_). Then I will bid you good-night.

MR. L. ⎫ MRS. L. ⎬ (_bowing_). Good-night. AGNES ⎪ MR. C. ⎭

PHILIP (_bowing_). Good _morning_.

(_Exeunt, L., MR. L., MRS. L., AGNES, AUNT R. and PHILIP. MR. C. remains._)

(_Curtain falls._)

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC CURED.

CHARACTERS.

MR. CROWELL, A Hypochondriac. MARIA DAVIDSON, His Niece. MRS. FOSTER, His Housekeeper. MR. PRESTON, A Friend, disguised as a Policeman.