three men, mouthing the time
silently, wave their arms, and LILY'S head and body move from side to
side._

BLAND.

[_With a groan._] Ugh! Is there anything more ancient than a
four-year-old comic song? [_Playing a few bars of the melody of the
song._] Shade of Nineveh and all the buried cities!

ROPER, VON RETTENMAYER, AND DE CASTRO.

[_To LILY, coaxingly._] Lily! Goddess! Lil!

LILY.

[_Shaking her head._] Oh, boys, it's gone. [_Pressing temples._]
I couldn't----

[_BLAND plays the introductory symphony and then pauses. Then she
sings, he accompanying her. In a moment or two, the song comes back to
her readily and she gives it with great witchery and allurement. JEYES
starts up and goes to the window in the wall on the right and looks
out._

LILY.

[_Singing._]

I've a very charming dwelling,
(You know where without the telling)
Decorated in a style that's rather quaint!
Smart and quaint!
When you pay my house a visit,
You may scrutinise or quiz it,
But you mustn't touch the paint!
Brand-new paint!
Mind the paint! Mind the paint!
(No matter whether Maple's bills are settled or they ain't!)
Once you smear it or you scratch it,
It's impossible to match it;
So take care, please, of the paint-- of the paint!

[_Rising and coming to the middle of the room, LILY repeats the
refrain, dancing to it gracefully. JIMMIE also rises and she, ROPER,
VON RETTENMAYER, and DE CASTRO join in the chorus and the dance, the
three men very extravagantly. FARNCOMBE looks on, enraptured, while
MRS. UPJOHN beats time with her hands._

LILY.

[_Singing._]

I'm possessed of all the graces,
Oh, a perfect dr-r-r-ream my face is!
(It may owe to Art a trifle or it mayn't
H'm, it mayn't!)
And I'll cry out for assistance.
Should you fail to keep your distance,
Goodness gracious, mind the paint!
Mind the paint!
Mind the paint! Mind the paint!
A girl is not a sinner just because she's not a saint!
But my heart shall hold you dearer--
You may come a little nearer--
If you'll _only_ mind the paint-- mind the paint!

[_The refrain is repeated as before, MRS. UPJOHN rising and taking a
share in it. Then LILY drops on to the settee before the
writing-table, laughing and holding up her hands in protest._

LILY.

No more, boys! [_ROPER, VON R