The Templeton Teapot Part 6

(_Collapses into chair. SUE fans him with newspaper. MR. T. seizes teapot._)

MR. T. You've rescued the teapot!

MRS. B. Did you fight with the burglars?

MRS. T. The poor man has been handled most roughly.

MR. B. (_grasping MR. T.'s revolver_). Which way did the fellows go?

PROF. G. (_regaining breath_). No burglar--the McLaffety boy--didn't see him--collided most forcibly! He spilled his basket; the teapot rolled out.

MR. T. Do you mean to tell me that the McLaffety boy was stealing the teapot?

PROF. G. He denied the charge. In fact, he was very saucy, quite rude to say the least; and he ran away before I could restrain him.

MR. T. Thank heaven you saved the teapot!

MR. B. We'll have the urchin in the House of Correction.

HILDA. I put the teapot in the basket.

ALL (_in surprise_). You?

HILDA. All my life that teapot has stood for what I detest. I wanted to be free from traditions and stupid conventions and antiques. I was going away (_glancing at DEAN_); but I didn't, so the teapot had to.

MR. T. Well, this is news to me. Professor Gates, I fear that you will have to take your bride without the teapot.

PROF. G. (_beaming_). To tell the truth, Sue and I hardly need even so priceless a gift as the teapot to make our happiness complete. (_Takes_ Sue's _hand._)

MR. T. } MRS. T.} (_in surprise_). Sue?

SUE. Oh, Algernon!

MR. B. (_wonderingly_). Say, the Professor can't be a Mormon.

MRS. B. Leon, hush----

MR. T. Why, why, this is----

PROF. G. I have already had your consent, Mr. Templeton, so I take this happy occasion to announce----

MR. T. (_recovering himself_). Surely, surely. I had forgotten--the excitement of the past hour--you understand. We are most happy.

MRS. T. A most appropriate match; the ages are so suitable.

MR. B. (_shaking hands with PROF. G._). Professor, please accept my congratulations.

DEAN (_doing likewise_). No one has introduced us, Professor, but I wish you joy.

MR. T. Hilda, can't you say something?

HILDA (_kissing SUE_). I am so happy. Aunt Sue, so very, very glad.

MR. T. I've got to dispose of this teapot; for I can't have my girl running away again. Mr. Dean, I think that you had better add it to your collection, as a testimonial of our----

(_Holds out teapot_.)

DEAN (_embarra.s.sed_). Thank you, sir, I greatly appreciate your generosity; but--the fact is--I'm contemplating disposing of my entire collection.

MR. T. Indeed, you surprise me.

MR. B. Eric, are you crazy? How long have you had that idea in your head?

DEAN (_looking at HILDA_). Since I've known Miss Templeton.

MR. B. (_laughing_). I see.

MRS. T. I don't understand.

DEAN. I want nothing that is going to prejudice Miss Hilda against me, Mrs. Templeton.

MRS. B. (_embracing HILDA_). Hilda, how perfectly splendid! (_Shyly._) But mayn't he have the teapot too?

HILDA. I have no objection to Mr. Dean's having whatever he likes.

DEAN (_taking HILDA'S hand_). Then I take you at your word, Hilda. I like you better than any heirloom in the world. What do you say?

HILDA (_shyly_). I can imagine conditions in which a teapot might be very useful.

MR. T. (_putting the teapot into DEAN'S hand_). It looks to me as if the Templeton teapot was destined to remain in the family.

(_All laugh._)

CURTAIN