clean claret glass and a high-ball glass, containing a small quantity of whiskey and soda. On either side of the table are chairs. On the back flat, to each side of the doors, are candle brackets. Before curtain rises, the clock off stage (same as used in previous act) chimes ten. Curtain rises on the first stroke, after the usual Westminster prelude. Dinner is over. The lamps are lit and doors at back closed_. CELIA _sits to_ R. _of table, dipping her fingers in finger-bowl. She is in the black dress and shawl of the preceding act_. SMITH _is to the left. He is intent upon explaining something to_ CELIA, _and she is listening with most apparent interest. At rise of curtain_. SMITH. (_Continuing his description_) It was the usual sort of formation when a small force gets caught in the open--a square with the maxims at the corners. We had only two,--one--here--at the tip of the nut-crackers, and the other here--at the end of the knife-handle. (_He has made a square with dessert knives and nut-crackers on the tablecloth. To illustrate the position of the maxims he uses nuts_.) CELIA. Only two! SMITH. We should have liked some more, of course. But we'd have gotten along all right if this fellow here--(_Touching one of the nuts_)--hadn't jammed. CELIA. Oh! What happened then? SMITH. The Somalis at the corner charged. From here, from here, from here, others swept round and flung themselves upon the back of their companions. Imagine a huge wedge and an enormous hammer pounding behind it. They split our ranks in a second. It was a surprise that took you by the throat. You heard the maxim talking to 'em like a father, and, by George, there they were in the hollow of the square, stabbing at our backs. CELIA. (_With much admiration_) Oh--and where were _you?_ SMITH. (_In square_) Here. CELIA. There? SMITH. Yes. (_He takes a peach_.) That's me. (_Places it in the square_.) CELIA. Ah! There! _You_ were there? SMITH. Oh, I was all right. We faced the rear ranks about and drove 'em out of it. It was messy. You see, we could only use the bayonet inside the square. In a little while we got the maxim going again and made 'em respectful. However, they hung around us and we couldn't move along very fast. That was our trouble. For we had to move along, we were short of water and a day's march from the wells. CELIA. Oh! SMITH. So, you see, it was necessary that as soon as night came, someone should get through and bring relief. CELIA. (_With much appreciation_) I know what happened. I know!--You volunteered---- SMITH. (_Looks at her; his eyes accept her homage and thank her. He laughs happily_) Yes. Between you and me--it was safer outside the square. CELIA. (_Reproachfully_) Oh--! SMITH. Well--I wasn't in command. So I could volunteer. CELIA. And got the D. S. O. in consequence. SMITH. And a drink a day before the others. I'll get a step, too, I think. CELIA. Then you'll be general, won't you? SMITH. Brigadier----