my
sweet telegram, Nicko?

JEYES.

[_Who has greeted JIMMIE and is now seated in the chair on the extreme
left-- sulkily._] I had your telegram, but it's a _pendant_ I sent
you.

JIMMIE.

[_Sitting upon the settee by the piano and pulling off her gloves._]
Ha, ha, ha!

LILY.

You shut up, Jimmie. [_Snatching the fan from ROPER._] How on earth am
I to remember! [_Fanning herself._] Who's given me _this_ pretty
thing?

MRS. UPJOHN.

Mr. Monty Levine.

LILY.

Bless him! He's a dear little man, though he does bite his nails.
[_GLADYS appears with VINCENT BLAND, who saunters in after her. Seeing
LILY, GLADYS advances to her._] Hallo, Vincent!

BLAND.

[_A thin, delicate looking man of eight-and-thirty, not over smartly
dressed, wearing an eye-glass-- nodding to LILY casually._] You
needn't have cut me, almost on your door-step. [_To JIMMIE and
JEYES._] H'lo, Jimmie! H'lo, Nicko!

GLADYS.

[_Viewing LILY with an elevation of the brows._] Oh, are you home?

LILY.

[_Returning GLADYS'S stare._] Apparently.

GLADYS.

I'll whistle up to Maud.

LILY.

Don't, if it's too severe a strain on you.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_To GLADYS, as the girl moves to the door._] Gladys, we'll 'ave tea.

GLADYS.

[_At the door._] You can't till it's ready.

LILY.

[_Calmly._] Cheek!

[_GLADYS retires._

BLAND.

[_Who has strolled across to LILY, indolently._] Why do you retain the
services of that tousled-headed hussy?

LILY.

[_With conviction._] Oh, she's a little under the weather, but she's a
perfect servant.

BLAND.

[_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Ma, you look blooming.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Wish I could return the compliment, Mr. Bland.

BLAND.

[_To ROPER, who is wearing a waistcoat of rather a pronounced
pattern._] Congratulations on your waistcoat, Lal.

ROPER.

[_Joining JIMMIE, annoyed._] Now, no personalities.

LILY.

[_Giving BLAND her hand._] Vincent, yours is one of the loveliest
presents I've had to-day. _Remerciement!_ How's that for a French
accent?

BLAND.

[_Dropping his eyeglass._] You cat!

LILY.

Why----?

BLAND.

You know I've given you nothing, not even a penny nosegay.

JIMMIE.

Ha, ha, ha!

LILY.

[_Raising herself on her elbow._] On my honour--! Vincent dear,
I swear I thought----!

BLAND.

The funds are too low. [_Replacing his eyeglass._] I did go so far as
to price a bangle at Sellby's, but that was before a certain event
yesterday.

JIMMIE.

What hor