_Lady Cantire_ (_bringing a pair of long-handled glasses to bear upon him_). I happen to hold shares in this line. May I ask _why_ you consider a provision of dogs and string at all the stations a necessary or desirable expenditure? _Spurrell._ Oh--er--well, you know, I only meant, bring on _blindness_ and that. Harmless attempt at a joke, that's all. _Lady Cantire._ I see. I scarcely expected that _you_ would condescend to such weakness. I--ah--think you are going down to stay at Wyvern for a few days, are you not? _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I was right. What Tom said _did_ fetch the old girl; no harm in humouring her a bit. (_Aloud._) Yes--oh yes, they--aw--wanted me to run down when I could. _Lady Cantire._ I heard they were expecting you. You will find Wyvern a pleasant house--for a short visit. _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). _She_ heard! Oh, she wants to kid me she knows the Culverins. Rats! (_Aloud._) Shall I, though? I dare say. _Lady Cantire._ Lady Culverin is a very sweet woman; a little limited, perhaps, not intellectual, or quite what one would call the _grande dame_; but perhaps _that_ could scarcely be expected. _Spurrell_ (_vaguely_). Oh, of course not--no. (_To himself._) If she bluffs, so can I! (_Aloud._) It's funny your turning out to be an acquaintance of Lady C.'s, though. _Lady Cantire._ You think so? But I should hardly call myself an _acquaintance_. _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Old cat's trying to back out of it now; she shan't, though! (_Aloud._) Oh, then I suppose you know Sir Rupert best? _Lady Cantire._ Yes, I certainly know Sir Rupert better. _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Oh, you do, do you? We'll see. (_Aloud._) Nice cheery old chap, Sir Rupert, isn't he? I must tell him I travelled down in the same carriage with a particular friend of his. (_To himself._) That'll make her sit up! _Lady Cantire._ Oh, then you and my brother Rupert have met already? _Spurrell_ (_aghast_). Your brother! Sir Rupert Culverin your----! Excuse me--if I'd only known, I--I do assure you I never should have dreamt of saying----! _Lady Cantire_ (_graciously_). You've said nothing whatever to distress yourself about. You couldn't possibly be expected to know who I was. Perhaps I had better tell you at once that I am Lady Cantire, and this is my daughter, Lady Maisie Mull. (SPURRELL _returns_ Lady MAISIE'S _little bow in the deepest confusion_.) We are going down to Wyvern too, so I hope we shall very soon become better acquainted. _Spurrell_ (_to himself, overwhelmed_). The deuce we shall! I _have_ got myself into a hole this time; I wish I could see my way well out of it! Why on earth couldn't I hold my confounded tongue? I _shall_ look an ass when I tell 'em. [_He sits staring at them in silent embarrassment._ _In a Second-class Compartment._