’Iding-seek? Are they now! That minds me as ’ow I onct played ’iding-seek with Mrs. Baldwin as was my first wife—she weren’t my wife then—an’ found ’er—(_he chuckles_)—and found ’er—(_chuckles_)—in the middle of the bed!... (_ELLIS guffaws._) A rose bed it wer’. “Maidens’ blush” they was, jest fur all the world same as ’er purty face. So I gives her sutting wot to blush for. That I did. Dang it! Yus, I did. ELLIS. You seem to ’ave lived your life, Mr. Baldwin. BALDWIN. I ’ave that. I’ve ’ad thirteen, an’ two of ’em by me first wife. Thirteen’s an onlucky number I’ve ’eard tell. But I ain’t suspicious. ELLIS. Su-per-stitious is what you mean, I take it? BALDWIN. If I says suspicious I means it. ELLIS. Well, please yourself, Mr. Baldwin, please yourself. My motter’s “Live an’ let live.” Yes, as I was saying, it’s a queer game of ’ide-and-seek they’re playing at. I saw young O’Farrel just now by the yew-trees. ’E caught sight of ’er ladyship comin’ up the path, and dived into the shadder like a frightened rabbit. Bit queer considering ’ow thick they are. I just stood aside to see if anything was going to ’appen. Then ’oo should come along but the master! They must have caught sight of each other at the same time. She gave a sorter jump an’ stood still. ’E cut and ’urried into the bushes. Then she turned and ’urried back the way she’d come. What d’yer say to that? BALDWIN. What do I say? ELLIS. Bit queer, ain’t it? BALDWIN. Chronic! Why, a minute or two back ’er ladyship was up ’ere an’ says, “I’m looking for Mr. Cosway.” And arfter she’s gorne, ’e comes up ’ere an’ says, “I’m lookin’ for ’er ladyship,” ’e says. ELLIS. Well, I give it up! (_LADY PATRICIA is heard singing in the distance._) There, she’s at it again! (_BILL enters up the central ladder unperceived by the others. He stands in the background. They all listen to the singing in silence until it ceases._) She can sing, an’ no error! BALDWIN. Minds me of an ole cat as used to yeowl night after night in the rubub beds. ELLIS. Good Lord, Mr. Baldwin, ’ow d’you make that out? BALDWIN. Course it ain’t the same. ’Er ladyship’s voice is a rare treat to ’ear, an’ a cat’s ain’t. But there’s somethin’ in ’em both as seems to be callin’ for somethin’ else. ’Twas jest afore Mrs. Baldwin ’ad ’er seventh. An’ yer’d ’ardly b’lieve me, Mr. Ellis, that cat ’ad kittens same day as Mrs. Baldwin. (_With a smothered laugh BILL comes forward. ELLIS hastily picks up the tray with the cups, &c._) BILL. Ah, whisky-and-soda, Ellis. That’s good! ELLIS. Yes, sir. (_He goes out by the centre._) BILL. (_Helping himself to whisky-and-soda._) Well, Baldwin, what are you up to? Keeping an eye on the sun so as to lop off the branches? BALDWIN. No, sir.... I was jest watching them lanterns. BILL. Yes. They’re very pretty. BALDWIN. They do burn uncommon quick.