[With rather a forced smile, GERALD nods again, and BOB goes out.] (Left alone, GERALD stands looking into the fire and thinking. He tries sitting down to see if that will make thinking any pleasanter; then he tries standing up again. He goes to the door in front of the staircase and opens it to see if there is anybody there; then he goes to the windows at the back and looks through them. Evidently he sees somebody, for he beckons and then returns to his old place by the fire. In a few moments LETTY and TOMMY come in.) TOMMY (excitedly). I say, has Bob come? GERALD. Why? TOMMY. I could have sworn we saw him just now as we were coming in. At least, Letty swore she did-- LETTY. I _know_ I did. TOMMY. So I gave him a shout, but he fairly trekked off. Was it Bob? GERALD. Yes. Now look here, I want you to be two nice people. Don't say anything to anybody. He came, but he didn't want to see the whole crowd of us. He's going to Canada. I'll do all the explaining, if you two just say nothing. Do you see? LETTY. Of course, Gerald. TOMMY. Rather, old boy. Besides, it will make it much better for Letty and me. LETTY. No rival attraction, Tommy means. [Enter SIR JAMES and LADY FARRINGDON from the outer hull, having just returned from their lunch.] SIR JAMES. Ah! here you all are. GERALD. Had a good lunch? SIR JAMES. Lunch was all right, but the people were dull, very dull. LADY FARRINGDON. There were one or two nice ones, I thought, dear. They all knew about _you_, Gerald. TOMMY (proudly). Of course they would. SIR JAMES. Oh, one or two were all right, but _he_ was--well, I was discussing shorthorns with him after lunch, and he hardly seemed interested at all. Dull, very dull. I've got no use for that sort of man. (During this speech the Butler has come in with a telegram for GERALD.) GERALD (taking it). Just a moment. (He reads it quickly.) No answer. [Exit Butler.] (GERALD reads his telegram again more thoughtfully.) LADY FARRINGDON. From Pamela, dear? GERALD. From the office. I shall have to go up at once. LADY FARRINGDON (very disappointed). Oh, Gerald! SIR JAMES. Something on? GERALD. Rather an important thing really. I never thought I should get it, but there was just a chance. (Looking at his watch) Oh, I can do it comfortably. SIR JAMES (obviously proud that GERALD is in the thick of things). What is it? I suppose you mustn't tell us. GERALD. Something abroad. SIR JAMES. Diplomatic mission, eh? GERALD. Yes. LETTY. That does sound so frightfully exciting. LADY FARRINGDON (proudly). Oh, Gerald! (Thoughtfully). I wish we had known about it this morning, we could have mentioned it at lunch. SIR JAMES. That ought to lead to something. GERALD. Yes. I think it will. It's rather an opportunity: (They are all round him now, just as they have always been. The buzz begins.) SIR JAMES. Aha! you'll be an ambassador yet. What do you think of that, Letty? LETTY. Well done, Gerald. LADY FARRINGDON. How like you, Gerald!