SHE. (_Interrupting_) A splash! Oh, don't say any more: I
remember! That horrible lake! Horrible! It was so warm at the
hotel: I had gone off to the woods. I was sitting at the edge of
the lake--on a rock--reading. I must have been sleepy. I fell in.
HE. Then you screamed.
SHE. Yes: I was drowning! Drowning! I called for help!
HE. I heard you.
SHE. I sank--I sank, oh, miles and miles! It felt as if hands
were trying to pull me down to the bottom! I screamed again--and
then--then--I felt a strong arm around my waist--I was dizzy--
there was a roaring in my ears--I knew no more.
HE. (_Sympathetically_) Too bad, too bad.
SHE. And you--(_rising to her feet enthusiastically_)--you were
the man who jumped in!
HE. (_Apologetically_) I was passing by.
SHE. You saved my life! Oh, how can I ever thank you? My hero!
(_She throws her arms about his neck._)
HE. That's all right. . . .
SHE. But it's not all right. I can never repay you! Never! Never!
Not if I live to be a thousand years old! (_She kisses him._)
HE. (_Calmly_) That's the second time.
SHE. The second time?
HE. (_Nodding_) I kissed you before.
SHE. Oh! (_Releasing him quickly._) You didn't!
HE. Yes, I did.
SHE. While I was unconscious?
HE. Precisely.
SHE. Oh, how _could_ you do such a thing? How could you?
HE. (_Taking up his coat_) It was by request. (_Takes cigarette
case from pocket._)
SHE. (_Incredulously_) I asked you?
HE. You said, "Mother! Mother! Kiss me!" (_Takes cigarette from
case. Pleased to see that it is dry. Puts it between his lips._)