supper in the course of conversation, remember,
_she's_ not in the conspiracy.
FARNCOMBE.
Conspiracy?
ROPER.
To shunt Nicko. We're letting her think there are to be no outsiders.
FARNCOMBE.
[_Becoming slightly puzzled by ROPER'S manner._] Why, would she very
much like Captain Jeyes to be asked?
ROPER.
[_Rather impatiently._] Haven't I told you, once you're a friend of
Lil's----! [_Looking towards the door._] Is this Ma? [_MRS. UPJOHN
enters._] Hul-lo, Ma!
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_A podgy little, gaily dressed woman of five-and-fifty with a stupid,
good-humoured face._] 'Ullo, Uncle!
ROPER.
Lord Farncombe----
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Advancing and shaking hands with FARNCOMBE._] Glad to see you 'ere
again. You _'ave_ been before, 'aven't you?
FARNCOMBE.
Last week.
MRS. UPJOHN.
Of course; you came with Mr. Bertie Fulkerson. But somebody or other's
always poppin' in. [_Pleasantly._] Lil sees too many, _I_ say. It's
tirin' for 'er. Won't you set?
ROPER.
Lord Farncombe's brought Lily some flowers, Ma. [_To FARNCOMBE._]
Where are they?
FARNCOMBE.
[_Who, after waiting for MRS. UPJOHN to settle herself upon the settee
in front of the writing-table, sits in the chair at the end of the
settee-- pointing to a large basket of flowers._] On the piano.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Barely glancing at the flowers._] 'Ow kind of 'im! Sech a waste o'
money too! They do go off so quick.
ROPER.
[_Reading the cards attached to the various floral gifts._] Where _is_
Lil?
MRS. UPJOHN.
She's settin' to a risin' young artist in Fitzroy Street-- Claude
Morgan. She won't be 'ome till past five. So tirin' for 'er.
ROPER.
Never heard of Morgan.
MRS. UPJOHN.
No, nor anybody else. That's what I tell 'er. Why waste your time
givin' settin's to a risin' young artist when the big men 'ud go down
on their 'ands and knees to do you? But that's Lil all over. She's the
best-natured girl in the world, and so she gets imposed on all round.
FARNCOMBE.
[_Gallantly._] I prophesy that Mr. Morgan's picture of Miss Parradell
won't have dried before he's quite famous.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Turning a pair of dull eyes full upon him._] 'Ow do you mean?
FARNCOMBE.
[_Disconcerted._] Er-- I mean--
MRS. UPJOHN.
_Why_ won't it 'ave dried?
FARNCOMBE.
I mean he will have become celebrated _before_ it has dried.
MRS. UPJOHN.
'Is pictures never do dry, you mean?
ROPER.
No, no, Ma!
MRS. UPJOHN.
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