_Pilliner._ I admit we were most of us a wee bit chippy at breakfast. The bard conversed--I will say _that_ for him--but he seemed to diffuse a gloom somehow. Shut you up once or twice in a manner that might almost be described as damned offensive. _Captain Thicknesse._ Don't know what you all saw in what he said that was so amusin'. Confounded rude _I_ thought it! _Pilliner._ Don't think anyone _was_ amused--unless it was Lady Maisie. By the way, he might perhaps have selected a happier topic to hold forth to Sir Rupert on than the scandalous indifference of large landowners to the condition of the rural labourer. Poor dear old boy, he stood it wonderfully, considering. Pity Lady Cantire breakfasted upstairs; she'd have enjoyed herself. However, he had a very good audience in little Lady Maisie. _Captain Thicknesse._ I do hate a chap that jaws at breakfast.... _Where_ did you say she was? _Lady Maisie's voice_ (_outside, in conservatory_). Yes, you really ought to see the orangery and the Elizabethan garden, Mr. Blair. If you will be on the terrace in about five minutes, I could take you round myself. I must go and see if I can get the keys first. _Pilliner._ If you want to say good-bye, old fellow, now's your chance! _Captain Thicknesse._ It--it don't matter. She's engaged. And, look here, you needn't mention that I was askin' for her. _Pilliner._ Of course, old fellow, if you'd rather not. (_He glances at him._) But I say, my dear old chap, if _that's_ how it is with you, I don't quite see the sense of chucking it up _already_, don't you know. No earthly affair of mine, I know; still, if I _could_ manage to stay on, I would, if I were _you_. _Captain Thicknesse._ Hang it all, Pilliner, do you suppose _I_ don't know when the game's up! If it was any _good_ stayin' on---- And besides, I've said good-bye to Lady C., and all that. No, it's too late now. _Tredwell_ (_at the door_). Excuse me, sir, but if you're going by the 10.40, you haven't any too much time. _Pilliner_ (_to himself after_ Captain THICKNESSE _has hurried out_). Poor old chap, he does seem hard hit! Pity he's not Lady Maisie's sort. Though what she can see in that long-haired beggar----! Wonder when Vivien Spelwane intends to come down; never knew her miss breakfast before.... What's that rustling?... Women! I'll be off, or they'll nail me for church before I know it. [_He disappears hastily in the direction of the Smoking-room as_ Lady CANTIRE and Mrs. CHATTERIS _enter_. [Illustration: "I'LL BE OFF, OR THEY'LL NAIL ME FOR CHURCH BEFORE I KNOW IT."]