'I seem to remember now. I suppose I had more important things to think about.' 'Well, at any rate, she _has_ come back--I've just had a letter--Hyacinth wants me to go out with her this afternoon and hear all about it. At four. I can, of course; it's the day you rehearse, isn't it?' Bruce waited a minute, then said-- 'Curious thing, you _can't_ get our cook to make a hot omelette! And we've tried her again and again.' 'It _was_ a hot omelette, Bruce--very hot--about three-quarters of an hour ago. Shall I order another?' 'No--oh, no--pray don't--not for me. I haven't the time. I've got to work. You have rather a way, Edith, of keeping me talking. You seem to think I've nothing else to do, and it's serious that I should be punctual at the office. By the way--I shouldn't go out with Hyacinth today, if I were you--I'd rather you didn't.' 'Why not, Bruce?' 'Well, I may want you.' 'Then aren't you going to the Mitchells'?' 'The Mitchells'? No--I am certainly _not_ going to the Mitchells'--under the present circumstances.' He threw down a piece of toast, got up, and stood with his back to the fire. 'How you can expect me to go to the Mitchells' again after their conduct is more than I can understand! Have you no pride, Edith?' Edith looked bewildered. 'Has anything happened? What have the Mitchells done?' she asked. 'What have they done!' Bruce almost shouted. He then went and shut the door carefully and came back. 'Done! How do you think I've been treated by these Mitchells--by my friend Mitchell--after slaving night and day at their infernal theatricals? I _have_ slaved, haven't I, Edith? Worked hard at my part?' 'Indeed you have, dear.' 'Well, you know the last rehearsal? I had got on particularly well. I told you so, didn't I? I played the little part with a certain amount of spirit, I think. I certainly threw a good deal of feeling and suppressed emotion, and also a tinge of humorous irony into my speech to Miss Vavasour. Of course, I know quite well it doesn't seem of any very great importance, but a lot hinges on that speech, and it isn't everyone who could make the very most of it, as I really believe I did. Well, I happened to be pointing out to Mitchell, yesterday at the office, how much I had done for his play, and how much time and so forth I'd given up towards making the thing a success, then, what do you think he turned round and said? Oh, he is a brute!' 'I can't think!' 'He said, "Oh, by the way, Ottley, old chap, I was going to tell you there's been a change in the scheme. We've altered our plans a little, and I really don't think we shall need to trouble you after all. The fact is, I've decided to cut out the fancy ball altogether." And then people talk of gratitude!' 'Oh, dear, Bruce, that does seem a pity!'