LORD B.—I am much distresst to find you so sad.
COUNSELOR—I am; I acknowledge it. It is my double capacity which does it. I am her guardian and her suitor. In my latter capacity I am over-awed by my duty in my other capacity. It unnerves me.
LORD S.—It is hard. Just think of having two capacities. Let us be truly thankful that we have no capacity at all. But take courage; nothing that I ever heard of daunted a Chicago & Alton Railroad official.
COUNSELOR—That is true, and I will be resigned. [Exeunt.
Enter Phyllis.
PHYLLIS—Strephon!
STREPHON—Phyllis! But I forgot. I suppose I should, madamlet me see,—what name have you decided upon?
PHYLLIS—I have n't quite made up my mind. You see, I have n't any mother to advise me.
STREPHON—No! I have.
PHYLLIS—Yes, a very young mother.
STREPHON—Not very—a couple of centuries or so.
PHYLLIS—She wears well.
STREPHON—Of course she does. She was born and reared on the C. & A. line. Besides, she 's a fairy.
PHYLLIS—I beg your pardon—a what?
STREPHON—A fairy. I 've no longer a reason to conceal the truth.
PHYLLIS—That would account for a good many things. Fairies nowadays are rather indiscreet. I suppose you are a fairy, too.
STREPHON—I 'm half a fairy and half a mortal.
PHYLLIS—Not very substantial. But why did n't you tell me?
STREPHON—I thought I might get myself disliked. There 's no use loving half a man.
PHYLLIS—Better that than to love a whole man, as they go nowadays. Forgive me.
