Yes, sir, she his. TARVER. It would be discourteous to run away without asking Miss Jedd after her father. DARBEY. [_Throwing himself on the settee._] Deuced bad form! BLORE. The ladies were 'ere a minute ago. [_SALOME and SHEBA walk in together. SALOME has her arm round her sister's waist and looks up to her with a sweet, trusting smile. They start in confusion on seeing TARVER and DARBEY._ SALOME. Major Tarver. SHEBA. Mr. Darbey. TARVER. [_Taking SALOME'S hand eagerly._] My dear Miss Jedd! DARBEY. [_Rising and putting a glass to his eye._] Hah yah! Hah yah! SALOME. [_With her hand on her heart._] You quite startled us. TARVER. [_In an agony of contrition._] Oh, did we? DARBEY. Awfully cut up to hear it. SHEBA. We never dreamt of finding two visitors for Papa. BLORE. Why, you told me to show the gentlemen hin, Miss Sheba! [_The two girls start guiltily and glare at BLORE._ SALOME. [_With suppressed rage_.] You needn't wait, Blore! BLORE. [_To himself._] Let 'em 'ang that on the 'atstand! [_BLORE goes out. DARBEY and SHEBA stroll together into the Library._ TARVER. [_To SALOME._] We thought we'd ride over directly after parade to make the final arrangements for tonight. Have the costumes arrived? SALOME. Yes, they came yesterday in a hamper labeled "Miss Jedd, Secretary, Cast-off Clothing Distribution League." TARVER. That was my idea--came to me in the middle of the night. SALOME. Dear Major Tarver, surely this terrible strain on your nerves is very, very bad for you with your--your---- TARVER. My liver--say the word, Miss Jedd. SALOME. [_Drooping her head._] Oh, Major Tarver! TARVER. It is frightfully injurious. Of course I'm excited now, and you see me at my best, but the alternating fits of hopeless despondency are shocking to witness and to endure! SALOME. Oh! TARVER. It's all that damned India! Oh! what have I said! You will never forgive me. SALOME. Indeed, indeed I will! TARVER. Never. Oh, Miss Jedd, my forgetfulness has brought me--one of my--terrible attacks--of depression! SALOME. Major Tarver! [_She leads him to a chair into which he sinks in a ghastly state. DARBEY strolls in from the Library with SHEBA._ DARBEY. [_To SHEBA._] Your remarks about the army are extremely complimentary. On behalf of the army I thank you. We fellows are not a bad sort, take us all round. SHEBA. There's a grand future before you, isn't there? DARBEY. Well, I suppose there is if I go on as I'm going now. TARVER. [_To SALOME._] Thanks, the attack has passed. Now about to-night; at what time is the house entirely quiet? SALOME. Poor dear Papa goes round with Blore at half-past nine--after that all is rest and peacefulness. TARVER. Then if we're here with the closed carriage at ten--! [_They go together into the library._ DARBEY.