[_The conclusion of the sentence is drowned in a roar of laughter from the majority._ _Tredwell_ (_gasping_). Hevenin' cloes! _Your_ hevenin'---- P'raps you'll 'ave the goodness to explain yourself, sir! _Steptoe._ No, no, Tredwell, my dear fellah, you don't understand our friend here--he's a bit of a wag, don't you see? He's only trying to pull your leg, that's all; and, Gad, he did it too! But you mustn't take liberties with _this_ gentleman, Mr. Undershell; he's an important personage _here_, I can tell you! _Undershell_ (_earnestly_). But I never meant--if you'll only let me explain---- [_The_ Boy _has come behind him, and administers a surreptitious kick, which_ UNDERSHELL _rightly construes as a hint to hold his tongue_. _Tredwell_ (_in solemn offence_). I'm accustomed, Mr. Hundershell, to be treated in this room with respect and deference--especially by them as come here in the capacity of guests. _From_ such I regard any attempt to pull my leg as in hindifferent taste--to say the least of it. I wish to 'ave no more words on the subjick, which is a painful one, and had better be dropped, for the sake of all parties. Mrs. Pomfret, I see supper is on the table, so, by your leave, we had better set down to it. _Phillipson_ (_to_ UNDERSHELL). Never mind _him_, pompous old thing! It _was_ awfully cheeky of you, though. You can sit next _me_ if you like. _Undershell_ (_to himself, as he avails himself of this permission_). I shall only make things worse if I explain now. But, oh, great Heavens, _what_ a position for a poet! PART XIII WHAT'S IN A NAME? _At the Supper-table in the Housekeeper's Room._ Mrs. POMFRET _and_ TREDWELL _are at the head and foot of the table respectively_. UNDERSHELL _is between_ Mrs. POMFRET and Miss PHILLIPSON. _The_ Steward's Room Boy _waits_. _Tredwell._ I don't see Mr. Adams here this evening, Mrs. Pomfret. What's the reason of that? _Mrs. Pomfret._ Why, he asked to be excused to-night, Mr. Tredwell. You see some of the visitors' coachmen are putting up their horses here, and he's helping Mr. Checkley entertain them. (_To_ UNDERSHELL.) Mr. Adams is our stud-groom, and him and Mr. Checkley, the 'ed coachman, are very friendly just now. Adams is very clever with his horses, I believe, and I'm sure he'd have liked a talk with you; it's a pity he's engaged elsewhere this evening. _Undershell_ (_mystified_). I--I'm exceedingly sorry to have missed him, ma'am. (_To himself._) Is the stud-groom _literary_, I wonder?... Ah, no, I remember now; I allowed Miss Phillipson to conclude that my tastes were equestrian. Perhaps it's just as well the stud-groom _isn't_ here! _Mrs. Pomfret._ Well, he _may_ drop in later on. I shouldn't be surprised if you and he had met before. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). _I_ should. (_Aloud._) I hardly think it's probable.