CANADA [“_Gerty_,” _a big_, _handsome girl_, _with a loud_, _commanding voice_]. George gave me your message. FANNY [_puzzled at first_]. My message? [_Remembering—laughs_.] Oh. That I was Lady Bantock of Bantock Hall. Yes. I thought you’d be pleased. CANADA. Was delighted, dear. FANNY. So glad. CANADA. I’d always had the idea that you were going to make a mess of your marriage. FANNY. What a funny idea! [_But the laugh that accompanies it is not a merry one_.] CANADA. Wasn’t it? So glad I was wrong. WALES. We’re all of us looking out for lords in disguise, now. Can’t you give us a tip, dear, how to tell ’em? SCOTLAND. Sukey has broken it off with her boy. Found he was mixed up in trade. STRAITS SETTLEMENTS [_as before_, _unseen at back of crowd_]. No. I didn’t. ’Twas his moral character. _Then enter Honoria with glasses on a tray_; _Ernest with champagne_; _Jane with eatables_; _Bennet with a napkin_. _It is a grim procession_. _The girls are scattered_, _laughing_, _talking_: _Africa to the Misses Wetherell_; _a couple to Dr. Freemantle_. _England_, _Scotland_, _Wales_, _and Canada are with Fanny_. _The hubbub_, _with the advent of the refreshments_, _increases_. _There is a general movement towards the refreshments_. FANNY. Thanks, Bennet. You can clear away a corner of the desk. ENGLAND [_aside to her_]. Go easy with it, dear. [_Fanny_, _smiling_, _nods_. _She directs operations in a low tone to the Bennets_, _who take her orders in grim silence and with lips tight shut_.] Don’t forget, girls, that we’ve got to get back to-night. [_Aside to the Doctor_, _who has come forward to help_.] Some of ’em, you know, ain’t used to it. DR. FREEMANTLE [_nods_]. Glasses not _too_ full. [_He whispers to Fanny_.] IRELAND [_a decided young woman_]. How much time have we got? ENGLAND. Don’t ask me. It’s Judy’s show. WALES [_mimicking Newte_]. The return train, ladies, leaves Oakham station. [_Stops—she is facing the clock_. _She begins to laugh_.] ENGLAND. What’s the matter? WALES [_still laughing_]. We’ve got just quarter of an hour to catch it. _There is a wild rush for the refreshments_. _Jane is swept off her feet_. _Bennet’s tray is upset_. ENGLAND. Quarter—! Oh, my Gawd! Here, tuck up your skirts, girls. We’ll have to— DR. FREEMANTLE. It’s all right. You’ve got plenty of time, ladies. There’s a train from Norton on the branch line at 5.33. Gets you into London at a quarter to nine. ENGLAND. You’re _sure_? DR. FREEMANTLE [_he has his watch in his hand_]. Quite sure. The station is only half a mile away. ENGLAND. Don’t let’s miss it. Keep your watch in your ’and, there’s a dear.