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Rh away from here for so many years. Poor fellow, poor old Owen. [Leaves room shaking head dolefully.]

SCENE II. Drawing-room of house. [ and in evening dress enter room and seat themselves.]

There, my dear, we will leave the men to their wine and cigars for awhile. [Bell rings briskly.

, looking startled.] Why, who can that be?

[Enter maid with several cards on salver.]

[looking at them one by one]. Oh, goodness! what shall we do? Here are the five Willowby girls and their friend, Miss Bruce.

Well, the more the merrier. Put all six girls in the attic to try their fortune with the apple and looking-glass, and secrete the two men somewhere to look over their shoulders. I sha'n't miss them—the men, I mean.

Oh, Agnes, I'm ready to cry. You will persist in upsetting all my plans.

[rising and greeting six very pretty girls that enter]. Oh, you dear creatures, how lovely you look, and how sweet of you to come.

[aside to Agnes]. Agnes, you wretch, you have done this on purpose.

[also aside]. Well, dear, vou wanted to marry me off, and self-preservation is the first law of nature. [Enter the men, in high spirits.]

Come on. I thought we were going to bob for apples and do a lot of other things.

[helplessly]. Well, we were, but—

There was only one girl before, now "we are seven."

Jolly number—always lucky.

[aside to ]. I'm sure I don't know where the luck's coming in. [Aloud to her guests.] We have not hand-glasses enough to go around, but you girls can take turns