_Sir Rupert._ Sorry, my dear, but you'll have to drive then. Adams tells me the horse is as lame as ever this morning, and he don't know what to make of it. He suggested having Horsfall over, but I've no faith in the local vets myself, so I wired to town for old Spavin. He's seen Deerfoot before, and we could put him up for a night or two. (_To_ TREDWELL, _the butler, who enters with a telegram_.) Eh, for me? just wait, will you, in case there's an answer. (_As he opens it._) Ah, this _is_ from Spavin--h'm, nuisance! "Regret unable to leave at present, bronchitis, junior partner could attend immediately if required.--Spavin." Never knew he _had_ a partner. _Tredwell._ I did hear, Sir Rupert, as Mr. Spavin was looking out for one quite recent, being hasthmatical, m'lady, and so I suppose this is him as the telegram alludes to. _Sir Rupert._ Very likely. Well, he's sure to be a competent man. We'd better have him, eh, Albinia? _Lady Culverin._ Oh yes, and he must stay till Deerfoot's better. I'll speak to Pomfret about having a room ready in the East Wing for him. Tell him to come by the 4.45, Rupert. We shall be sending the omnibus in to meet that. _Sir Rupert._ All right, I've told him. (_Giving the form to_ TREDWELL.) See that that's sent off at once, please. (_After_ TREDWELL _has left_.) By the way, Albinia, Rohesia may kick up a row if she has to come up in the omnibus with a vet, eh? _Lady Culverin._ Goodness, so she might! but he needn't go _inside_. Still, if it goes on raining like this--I'll tell Thomas to order a fly for him at the station, and then there _can't_ be any bother about it. PART II SELECT PASSAGES FROM A COMING POET _In the Morning Room at Wyvern._ Lady RHODA COKAYNE, Mrs. BROOKE-CHATTERIS, _and_ Miss VIVIEN SPELWANE _are comfortably established near the fireplace. The_ HON. BERTIE PILLINER, Captain THICKNESSE, _and_ ARCHIE BEARPARK, _have just drifted in_. _Miss Spelwane._ Why, you _don't_ mean to say you've torn yourselves away from your beloved billiards already? _Quite_ wonderful! _Bertie Pilliner._ It's too _horrid_ of you to leave us to play all by ourselves! We've all got so cross and fractious we've come in here to be petted! [_He arranges himself at her feet, so as to exhibit a very neat pair of silk socks and pumps._ _Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself_). Do hate to see a fellow come down in the mornin' with evenin' shoes on! _Archie Bearpark_ (_to_ BERTIE PILLINER). You speak for yourself, Pillener. _I_ didn't come to be petted. Came to see if Lady Rhoda wouldn't come and toboggan down the big staircase on a tea-tray. _Do!_ It's clinkin' sport! _Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself_). If there's one thing I _can't_ stand, it's a rowdy bullyraggin' ass like Archie! _Lady Rhoda Cokayne._ Ta muchly, dear boy, but you don't catch me travellin' downstairs on a tea-tray _twice_--it's just a bit _too_ clinkin', don't you know!