everything.

Mrs. B. (haughtily). Rest assured, Mrs. Templeton, that when my brother comes to himself, he will make ample apology.

Enter Dean and Hilda, r., the former carrying Hilda's suit-case.

Mrs. T. (embracing Hilda). My dear child, are you still with us? Where have you been?

Hilda (nervously). Mr. Dean found me in the summer-house and persuaded me to come in, mother. I don't want to go away, but I don't want to marry——

Mrs. T. There, there, child, say no more. Stay with your mother, and you shall do exactly as you like. (Sound of door-bell.) Sue, will you kindly go to the door? [Exit Sue, r.

Mrs. B. Oh, Eric, how did you know where to find her?

Dean (to Hilda). Miss Templeton, will you kindly convince these people that I am neither a burglar nor a lunatic?

Hilda. Mr. Dean saved me from that horrid man this evening, and to reward him I gave him the teapot. He isn't to blame for anything.

Enter Sue, r.

Sue (picking up basket). Mrs. McLaffety's boy has come after this.

Mrs. T. Will you kindly hand it to him, Sue? (Exit Sue, r., with basket.) Mr. Dean, we are doubly indebted to you.

Mr. T. (shaking hands with Dean). I apologize most humbly; but you must admit that appearances were against you.

Mr. B. (slapping Dean on the back). You've certainly distinguished yourself, old fellow.

Mrs. B. (embracing Dean). And you're not crazy—not the least little bit?

Dean. I hope not.

Mr. T. Mr. Dean, I know that you're a collector and lover of antiques. In appreciation of your defense and restoration of my daughter, I should be happy to present you with the teapot, had I not already promised it to Professor Gates, who is to marry—— Why, it's gone!

(Looks frantically for teapot. All look about.)

Enter Sue, r.

Mrs. B. Oh, Eric, you haven't——

Mr. T. Sue, where have you taken the teapot?

Sue. I didn't—— (Noise without. All run to door r.) The burglars!

Mr. T. They've got it after all!

Mr. B. We'll catch them yet.

Enter Prof. G., r., hatless, very dusty and disheveled, grasping the teapot with both hands.

Prof. G. I couldn't find Miss Hilda, but I've saved it! (Sees Hilda.) Oh—what——

(Collapses into chair. Sue fans him with newspaper. Mr. T. seizes teapot.)

Mr. T. You've rescued the teapot!

Mrs. B. Did you fight with the burglars?

Mrs. T. The poor man has been handled most roughly.

Mr. B. (grasping Mr. T.'s revolver). Which way did the fellows go?

Prof. G. (regaining breath). No burglar—the McLaffety boy—didn't see him—collided most forcibly! He spilled his basket; the teapot rolled out.

Mr. T. Do you mean to tell me that the McLaffety boy was stealing the teapot?

Prof. G. He denied the charge. In fact, he was very saucy, quite rude to say the least; and he ran away before I could restrain him.

Mr. T. Thank heaven you saved the teapot!

Mr. B. We'll have the urchin in the House of Correction.

Hilda. I put the teapot in the basket.

All (in surprise). You?

Hilda. All my life that teapot has stood for what I detest. I wanted to be free from traditions and stupid conventions and antiques. I was going away (glancing at Dean); but I didn't, so the teapot had to.

Mr. T. Well, this is news to me. Professor Gates, I fear that you will have to take your bride without the teapot.

Prof. G. (beaming). To tell the truth, Sue and I hardly need even so priceless a gift as the teapot to make our happiness complete. (Takes Sue's hand.)