ense about women!

DOT. You're married and out of it; and Ronny's not one of these
terrific John Bulls. [To JOAN who has opened the door] Looking for
John? No good, my dear; lath and plaster.

JOAN. [From the door, in a frightened whisper] Here's Mabel!

DOT. Heavens, and the waters under the earth!

CHRISTINE. If we only knew!

MABEL comes in, the three girls are silent, with their eyes
fixed on their books.

MABEL. The silent company.

DOT. [Looking straight at her] We're chucking it for to-day.

MABEL. What's the matter?

CHRISTINE. Oh! nothing.

DOT. Something's happened.

MABEL. Really! I am sorry. [Hesitating] Is it bad enough for me to
go?

CHRISTINE. Oh! no, Mabel!

DOT. [Sardonically] I should think very likely.

While she is looking from face to face, BILL comes in from the
workroom. He starts to walk across the room, but stops, and
looks stolidly at the four girls.

BILL. Exactly! Fact of the matter is, Miss Lanfarne, I'm engaged to
my mother's maid.

No one moves or speaks. Suddenly MABEL LANFARNE goes towards
him, holding out her hand. BILL does not take her hand, but
bows. Then after a swift glance at the girls' faces MABEL goes
out into the corridor, and the three girls are left staring at
their brother.

BILL. [Coolly] Thought you might like to know.
[He, too, goes out into the corridor.]

CHRISTINE. Great heavens!

JOAN. How awful!

CHRISTINE. I never thought of anything as bad as that.

JOAN. Oh! Chris! Something must be done!

DOT. [Suddenly to herself] Ha! When Father went up to have his
glove buttoned!

There is a sound, JACKSON has came in from the corridor.

JACKSON. [To Dot] If you please, Miss, Studdenham's brought up the
other two pups. He's just outside. Will you kindly take a look at
them, he says?

There is silence.

DOT. [Suddenly] We can't.

CHRISTINE. Not just now, Jackson.

JACKSON. Is Studdenham and the pups to wait, Mm?

DOT shakes her head violently. But STUDDENHAM is seen already
standing in the doorway, with a spaniel puppy in either
side-pocket. He comes in, and JACKSON stands waiting behind
him.

STUDDENHAM. This fellow's the best, Miss DOT. [He protrudes the
right-hand pocket] I was keeping him for my girl--a, proper greedy
one--takes after his father.

The girls stare at him in silence.

DOT. [Hastily]