MISS FAIRFIELD. For me, at any rate--too far and too fast altogether! Before ladies! It’s not nice. It’s enough to call down a judgment. BASSETT. [_Entering_] Mr. Pumphrey to see you, ma’am. [_To_ SYDNEY] And Mr. Kit. MISS FAIRFIELD. [_Justified_] Ah! MARGARET. I can’t see anyone. BASSETT. He said, ma’am, it was important. HILARY. Who? Who? MISS FAIRFIELD. The Rector. I expect he’s heard about you. HILARY. I can’t see him. I won’t see him. Let me go. I’ve met the Levites. Spare me the priest. [_He breaks away from them and goes stumbling out at the other door._] SYDNEY. [_Following him anxiously_] Father! DR. ALLIOT. [_Preventing her_] No, no, my child! I’ll look after him. [_He goes out quickly._] _The_ RECTOR _is an insignificant man, with an important manner and a plum in his mouth. He enters with_ KIT, _who is flushed and perturbed_. RECTOR. Ah, good afternoon, Mrs. Fairfield--Miss Fairfield-- MARGARET. [_Mechanically. She is very tired and inattentive_] A happy Christmas, Mr. Pumphrey! RECTOR. Ah! Just so! Christmas afternoon. An unusual day to call, Mrs. Fairfield, and, I fear, an inconvenient hour-- MARGARET. Not at all, Mr. Pumphrey. RECTOR. I can give myself [_he takes out his watch_] till three fifteen, no longer. The children’s service is at three thirty. MARGARET. [_Turning to the bell_] Mayn’t I order you an early cup of tea? RECTOR. Thank you, thank you, no. Busy as I am, I should not have disturbed you-- MISS FAIRFIELD. Rector, it’s as if you had been sent! RECTOR. Ah! gratifying! I did not see you at the morning service, Miss Fairfield. But last night--_late_ last night-- MISS FAIRFIELD. [_With a look at_ SYDNEY] Three A.M., Rector? RECTOR. Three fifteen, Miss Fairfield. KIT. Look here, Father-- RECTOR. I received certain information from my son-- KIT. No, you don’t, Father. I’ll have my say first. It’s just this, Mrs. Fairfield-- RECTOR. [_Fussed_] Christopher? Christopher? KIT. [_He is very much in earnest and he addresses himself solely to_ MARGARET] I want you to know that it is nothing to do with me, Mrs. Fairfield. I don’t agree with my father. [_Confidentially_] You wouldn’t think it but I never do. RECTOR. Christopher? KIT. [_Ignoring him_] And it was only coming up the drive that he sprung on me why he wanted to see you, or I wouldn’t have come-- MARGARET. [_Liking him_] I think Sydney would have been sorry, Kit. KIT. [_With a touch of his father’s manner_] Yes, well, Sydney and I have talked it over--and I know I’m going into the church myself--but I think he’s all wrong, Mrs. Fairfield. [_Unconscious of plagiarism_] I’m not nineteenth century. [_But_ SYDNEY _giggles_.] MISS FAIRFIELD. Rector, what’s the matter with the young man? KIT. [_Forging ahead_] You see, I’m pretty keen about Sydney, and so, naturally, I’m pretty keen about you, Mrs. Fairfield. RECTOR. Miss Fairfield, I’m without words.