Gla. Our own brother and cousin. (Miss Griffin uncovers her eyes, looks at them askance.)
Miss G. Your brother and cousin! (Boys drop girls' hands suddenly.) So you wrote to them under assumed names? And who, pray, are "Mabel and Emma"?
Kit. Oh, they aren't—they didn't exist at all, so they did nothing wrong.
Miss G. And who are—ugh! "Sammy and Willie"?
Char. Oh, they don't exist either. They are just dead stuck on the two mythical girls—that's all. (Miss Griffin glares contemptuously at him, and he wilts.)
Miss G. Say it as you will, young ladies, it was a very unladylike proceeding to write to any young men in such a way. Very reprehensible. It cannot be overlooked in justice to myself and to the reputation of my school. Even if you each wrote only to her own relative—which I surmise was not the case—it would have been wrong, very wrong to deceive any one so. I could not have forgiven it under any circumstances. (Hesitates.) Unless, indeed, you were engaged to the young men. In which case—
Char. (quickly) . But we are engaged. We are—are we not, Gladys?
Gla. (bashfully). Yes, Miss Griffin, Charlie and I are engaged. (Others exchange looks.)
Fred (looking appealingly at Kittie). And—and so are we. Are we not, Kittie?
Kit (starting; then timidly). Why—yes, we are engaged.
Miss G. Engaged—all of you? Why, how long has this been so?
Char. (boldly). Oh, a long time. (Aside to Gladys.) Half an hour, isn't it?
Miss G. Well, why didn't you say so sooner, you four foolish young people, and save all this trouble and misunderstanding? I suppose now I shall have to overlook all these really scandalous proceedings. But, Mr. Goldthwaite, there is one thing I cannot forgive (sternly),—your very reprehensible greeting of me just now, which I blush to recall. Sir, this is something that you cannot explain. It was a personal insult to me. (All look anxious.)
Char. (eagerly). Oh, no, madam; no, indeed. I thought certainly that you were Kittie, I assure you, or nothing should have tempted me to such a liberty. You looked exactly like her as I entered, figure, head, pose,—everything. And seeing you together I do not wonder at my mistake. There is a strong, a very strong resemblance. (Grimaces aside to Kittie. All bob their heads eagerly in agreement; Kittie alone is angry. Fred whispers to her; she smiles.)
Miss G. (highly pleased). Well, well, if you have so good an excuse, we will let it pass, then. But I shall be on my guard the next time, Mr. Sammy. (Coquettishly; Charlie bows low.) And now, young people, you must be faint with hunger. You shall all
