_Lady Cantire._ And where is Rupert? too busy of _course_ to come and say a word! Well, some day he may understand what a sister is--when it's too late. Ah, here's our nice unassuming young poet coming up to talk to you. Don't _repel_ him, my dear! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Better give her the chance of telling me what's wrong with the horse, I suppose. (_Aloud._) Er--nice old-fashioned sort of house this, Lady Culverin. (_To himself._) I'll work round to the stabling by degrees. _Lady Culverin_ (_coldly_). I believe it dates from the Tudors--if that is what you mean. _Lady Cantire._ My dear Albinia, I _quite_ understand him; "old-fashioned" is _exactly_ the epithet. And I was born and brought up here, so perhaps I should know. [_A footman enters, and comes up to_ SPURRELL _mysteriously._ _Footman._ Will you let me have your keys, if you please, sir? _Spurrell_ (_in some alarm_). My keys! (_Suspiciously._) Why, what do you want _them_ for? [Illustration: "MY KEYS! WHY, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM FOR?"] _Lady Cantire_ (_in a whisper_). Isn't he _deliciously_ unsophisticated? Quite a child of nature! (_Aloud._) My dear Mr. Spurrell, he wants your keys to unlock your portmanteau and put out your things; you'll be able to dress for dinner all the quicker. _Spurrell._ Do you mean--am I to have the honour of sitting down to table with all of _you_? _Lady Culverin_ (_to herself_). Oh, my goodness, what _will_ Rupert say? (_Aloud._) Why, of course, Mr. Spurrell; how can you ask? _Spurrell_ (_feebly_). I--I didn't know, that was all. (_To_ Footman.) Here you are, then. (_To himself._) Put out my things?--he'll find nothing to put out except a nightgown, sponge bag, and a couple of brushes! If I'd only known I should be let in for this, I'd have brought dress-clothes. But how _could_ I? I--I wonder if it would be any good telling 'em quietly how it is. I shouldn't like 'em to think I hadn't got any. (_He looks at_ Lady CANTIRE _and her sister-in-law, who are talking in an undertone_.) No, perhaps I'd better let it alone. I--I can allude to it in a joky sort of way when I come down! PART VIII SURPRISES--AGREEABLE AND OTHERWISE _In the Amber Boudoir._ Sir RUPERT _has just entered_. _Sir Rupert._ Ha, Maisie, my dear, glad to see you! Well, Rohesia, how are you, eh? You're _looking_ uncommonly well! No idea you were here! _Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Sir Rupert! He'll hoof me out of this pretty soon, I expect! _Lady Cantire_ (_aggrieved_). We have been in the house for the best part of an hour, Rupert--as you might have discovered by inquiring--but no doubt you preferred your comfort to welcoming so unimportant a guest as your sister! _Sir Rupert_ (_to himself_). Beginning already! (_Aloud._) Very sorry--got rather wet riding--had to change everything. And I knew Albinia was here.