_Sir Rupert._ Ha-ha! Athletic young chap that. Glad to see him in the field next Tuesday. By the way, Albinia, you've heard how Thicknesse here contrived to miss his train this morning? Our gain, of course; but still we must manage to get you back to Aldershot to-night, my boy, or you'll get called over the coals by your colonel when you _do_ put in an appearance, hey? Now, let's see; what train ought you to catch? [_He takes up_ "Bradshaw" _from a writing-table_. _Lady Cantire_ (_possessing herself of the volume_). Allow me, Rupert, my eyes are better than yours. _I_ will look out his trains for him. (_After consulting various pages._) Just as I _thought_! Quite impossible for him to reach North Camp to-night now. There isn't a train till six, and _that_ gets to town just too late for him to drive across to Waterloo and catch the last Aldershot train. So there's no more to be said. [_She puts_ "Bradshaw" _away_. _Captain Thicknesse_ (_with undisguised relief_). Oh, well, dessay they won't kick up much of a row if I don't get back till to-morrow,--or the day _after_, if it comes to that. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). It _shan't_ come to that--if _I_ can prevent it! Lady Maisie is quite in despair, I can see. (_Aloud._) Indeed? I was--a--not aware that discipline was quite so lax as that in the British Army. And surely officers should set an example of---- [_He finds that his intervention has produced a distinct sensation, and, taking up the discarded_ "Bradshaw" _becomes engrossed in its study_. _Captain Thicknesse_ (_ignoring him completely_). It's like this, Lady Culverin. Somehow I--I muddled up the dates, don't you know. Mean to say, got it into my head to-day was the 20th, instead of only the 18th. (_Lamely._) That's how it _was_. _Lady Culverin._ Delightful, my dear Gerald. Then we shall keep you here till Tuesday, of _course_! _Undershell_ (_looking up from_ "Bradshaw," _impulsively_). Lady Culverin, I see there's a very good train which leaves Shuntingbridge at 3.15 this afternoon, and gets---- [_The rest regard him with unaffected surprise and disapproval._ _Lady Cantire_ (_raising her glasses_). Upon my word, Mr. Blair! If you will kindly leave Captain Thicknesse to make his own arrangements----! _Lady Maisie_ (_interposing hastily_). But, mamma, you must have misunderstood Mr. Blair! As if he would _dream_ of---- He was merely mentioning the train he wishes to go by himself. _Weren't_ you, Mr. Blair? _Undershell_ (_blinking and gasping_). I--eh? Just so, that--that _was_ my intention, certainly. (_To himself._) Does she at all realise what this will cost her? _Lady Culverin._ My dear Mr. Blair, I--I'd no notion we were to lose you so soon; but if you're really quite _sure_ you must go---- _Lady Cantire_ (_sharply_). Really, Albinia, we must give him credit for knowing his own mind. He tells you he is _obliged to go_!