Sibyl. A dream of beauty, half-awake,

In filmy disarray—about to take

Her morning tub. In speech with her the while

Is Robert. He is dressed in riding style.

Sibyl—Why, Bob, it’s you! They got your name all wrong.

I’m sorry that I made you wait so long.

Bob—Only six minutes by my watch—it’s true

A minute seems a year, awaiting you!

But Time is merciful and I rejoice

That I am still alive to hear your voice.

Sibyl—A very pretty speech, for you, indeed.

But what extenuation can you plead

For waking ladies at the break of day

From peaceful slumbers, sir!

Bob— Oh, come, I say!

It’s half past ten!

Sibyl— Well, it was nearly three

Before I got to bed!

Bob— Good gracious me!

I’m sure I’d no idea it was so late.

Why, I was riding in the Park at eight

And looked for you. I own I felt abused;

Last night you said——

Sibyl— I beg to be excused

From keeping foolish promises, when made

At two A.M., by moonlight. I’m afraid

My memory’s no better than a sieve.

So you expected me? The Lord forgive

Your trusting soul!

Bob— It is His mÉtier!

Sibyl—Don’t be outrageous, or I’ll run away.

Bob—Ah, no; don’t go. I will be good, I swear!

’Twas a quotation, Heine, or Voltaire,

Or some fool cynic fellow. By the way,

If you have nothing on, what do you say

To breakfasting with Peg and me at noon

At the Casino?

Sibyl— Well, that’s rather soon;

I can’t be ready for an hour or more.

Bob—Come as you are, you know that I adore

Sibyl—Well, I like that! It’s fortunate for me

This is a telephone and not that new

Invention one can talk and see through, too!

What’s that you said?

Bob— I didn’t speak at all

I only thought.

Sibyl— Well, don’t! Suppose we call

The breakfast half past one instead of noon?

Bob (joyously)—

Then you will come?

Sibyl— I swear!

Bob— Not by the moon?

Sibyl (laughing)—

No, you may count on me. Now I must fly.

One-thirty—don’t forget—Good-by!

Bob— Good-by!

(They ring off.)