_Enter MRS. TARLETAN and JESSIE, followed by JOGTROT._ MRS. T. Surely, doctor, you must be mistaken? the thing is impossible! JOGTROT. I grieve to say I have it from the best authority! an eye-witness. Half an hour ago, almost under this very roof, your nephew was engaged in a low, vulgar, disreputable, pugilistic encounter with his own servant! MRS. T. A pugilistic encounter? But the reason?--the motive? JOGTROT (_with malicious intention_). Is perhaps not very difficult to guess! Your waiting-woman, my informant, is a very comely young person; both master and man _may_ have noticed it too--young men _will_ be young men--a little _jealousy_ perhaps? (_MRS. TARLETAN hastily rings small bell which is on the table._) _Enter MARTHA at R. H._ MRS. T. Come here, Martha! You have informed Doctor Jogtrot that you witnessed a scene recently, which I need not describe, between Captain Pepperpot and his servant. Is this true? MARTHA. Yes, ma'am; they were hard at it, ma'am, behind the summer-house, ma'am, a fisticuffing one another (_imitating absurdly_). MRS. T. Tell me, has this man--Blunt, I think, is his name--ever given you reason to think he--admires you? MARTHA. Only so far as saying I was a niceish sort of girl! But lots have told me _that!_ JESSIE (_very eagerly_). And--his _master_--perhaps _he_ may have-- MARTHA. Well, miss, the captain has certainly chucked me under the chin once or twice, but lots have done _that!_ MRS. T. You can go, Martha! [_Exit MARTHA at R. H._ JESSIE. Oh, auntie, this is dreadful! I never could have believed it of Jack! never! (_stops on a sign from MRS. TARLETAN, who sees JACK enter at L. H._). JACK (_as he enters hurriedly_). Can't find him anywhere. (_Seeing JOGTROT._) So, so! he's stolen a march on me. (_Aside to MRS. TARLETAN._) Aunty, I suspect our serious friend here has been giving you _his_ version of a certain little trumpery affair that--that-- MRS. T. (_coldly_). He _has!_ JACK. Well, I confess I _was_ just a trifle hasty! One of my little pets, you know; but if you only knew the provocation-- MRS. T. (_satirically_). We _do_ know the provocation! JESSIE (_imitating MRS. TARLETAN'S tone_). Yes, we _do_ know the provocation! MRS. T. Come with me, doctor! We must have a little conversation--_serious_ conversation! JOGTROT. At your service, my dear madam. (_Aside._) I wonder how our gallant friend feels _now!_ [_Exit at C. with MRS. TARLETAN, JACK staring after them bewildered._ JACK. Jessie! JESSIE (_very dignified_). Sir! JACK (_astonished_). "Sir!" What's the matter? You seem annoyed--vexed. JESSIE. I am! JACK. Will you tell me why? JESSIE (_with comic severity_). Ask your conscience, young man! _Enter MARTHA at C., carrying an enormous bouquet._ MARTHA. This beautiful nosegay, miss--just come--with Mr. Chirper's compliments. [_Gives nosegay, and exit R. H._ JESSIE. What a lovely bouquet! How very polite of Mr. Chirper!