Didn't flick
it, or do anything as complimentary as that. Just yawned and went down.'
COLONEL. 'Yawned, did he? Used to wink in my time. Did you and Billy
fish at Heidelberg, Karl?'
KARL. 'We were more worthily employed, sir, but we did unbend at times.
Billy, do you remember--' He begins a gay dance.
BILLY. 'Not I.' Then he joins in.
BARBARA. 'Young gentlemen, how disgraceful!' She joins in.
COLONEL. 'Harum-scarums!'
KARL. 'Does he know about you two?'
BILLY. 'He often forgets, I'll tell him again. Grandfather, Barbara and
I have something to say to you. It's this.' He puts his arm round
Barbara.
COLONEL, smiling, 'I know--I know. There's nothing like it. I'm very
glad, Barbara.'
BARBARA. 'You see, dear, I've loved Billy boy since the days when he
tried to catch the bull-trout with a string and a bent pin, and I held
on to his pinafore to prevent his tumbling in. We used to play at school
at marrying and giving in marriage, and the girl who was my bridegroom
had always to take the name of Billy. "Do you, woman, take this man
Billy--" the clergyman in skirts began, and before I could answer
diffidently, some other girl was sure to shout, "I should rather think
she does.
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