ou must follow the democratic tendencies of the age, Keith. The peer
must go hand in hand with the pig.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Yes, but let it be the companionable, clubable pig. Oh, I have just left
him at the breakfast-table.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Is he making a tolerable breakfast this morning?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

He seems to be making every breakfast in Great Britain.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I see him at it.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

He consumes enough coffee to put a fire out.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Yes; and he swoops down on a cold bird like a vulture.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

It's hideous to see him hurl himself at an omelette.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I know; and with eggs he's a conjurer. What's he engaged on now?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

When I left him he was an unrecognizable mass of marmalade. He must go!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Don't disregard the sacred laws of hospitality!

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

I must. At another time I might endure him, but now when I am utterly
crushed by my own agonizing trouble---- Hark!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

What's the matter?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

My son.

[ANGELE appears with the infant.]

ANGELE.

[Mysteriously.] Is it alright, milord?

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Hush! [To LADY TWOMBLEY.] Is Egidia there?

[SIR JULIAN and LADY EUPHEMIA re-enter.]

LADY TWOMBLEY.

No.

[LADY TWOMBLEY joins SIR JULIAN and LADY EUPHEMIA.]

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

[To ANGELE.] All right. [Fondly to the infant.] My soldier boy! [ANGELE
advances to DRUMDURRIS. He produces a small toy gun and a little drum
from a box he carries and hands them to ANGELE.] Don't let Lady
Drumdurris discover these.

ANGELE.

No.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Above all, let the drum be muffled.

ANGELE.

Yees, milord.

[EGIDIA enters.]

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

I expect some small cannon by the evening post. Go.

[EGIDIA comes between ANGELE and DRUMDURRIS, the DOWAGER following.]

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS.

Ah!

ANGELE.

Oh, miladi!

EGIDIA.

I am right, then.

[She takes the toys from ANGELE and points to the door. ANGELE withdraws
with the infant.]

DOWAGER.

Keith--Egidia! Don't disagree here!

EGIDIA.

[To DRUMDURRIS.] I was loth to credit you with such treachery.

DOWAGER.

Name some convenient hour to disagree this afternoon. I will willingly
be present.

EGIDIA.

I have long suspected this conspiracy to anticipate my son's mature
judgment. Keith, there is a gulf between us which can never be br