HECTOR. [magnanimously] Oh, he's all right: he only needs the love of a good woman to ennoble him. Besides, he's proposed a motoring trip to Nice; and I'm going to take you. VIOLET. How jolly! HECTOR. Yes; but how are we going to manage? You see, they've warned me off going with you, so to speak. They've told me in confidence that you're married. That's just the most overwhelming confidence I've ever been honored with. Tanner returns with Straker, who goes to his car. TANNER. Your car is a great success, Mr Malone. Your engineer is showing it off to Mr Ramsden. HECTOR. [eagerly--forgetting himself] Let's come, Vi. VIOLET. [coldly, warning him with her eyes] I beg your pardon, Mr Malone, I did not quite catch-- HECTOR. [recollecting himself] I ask to be allowed the pleasure of showing you my little American steam car, Miss Robinson. VIOLET. I shall be very pleased. [They go off together down the avenue]. TANNER. About this trip, Straker. STRAKER. [preoccupied with the car] Yes? TANNER. Miss Whitefield is supposed to be coming with me. STRAKER. So I gather. TANNER. Mr Robinson is to be one of the party. STRAKER. Yes. TANNER. Well, if you can manage so as to be a good deal occupied with me, and leave Mr Robinson a good deal occupied with Miss Whitefield, he will be deeply grateful to you. STRAKER. [looking round at him] Evidently. TANNER. "Evidently!" Your grandfather would have simply winked. STRAKER. My grandfather would have touched his at. TANNER. And I should have given your good nice respectful grandfather a sovereign. STRAKER. Five shillins, more likely. [He leaves the car and approaches Tanner]. What about the lady's views? TANNER. She is just as willing to be left to Mr Robinson as Mr Robinson is to be left to her. [Straker looks at his principal with cool scepticism; then turns to the car whistling his favorite air]. Stop that aggravating noise. What do you mean by it? [Straker calmly resumes the melody and finishes it. Tanner politely hears it out before he again addresses Straker, this time with elaborate seriousness]. Enry: I have ever been a warm advocate of the spread of music among the masses; but I object to your obliging the company whenever Miss Whitefield's name is mentioned. You did it this morning, too. STRAKER. [obstinately] It's not a bit o use. Mr Robinson may as well give it up first as last. TANNER. Why? STRAKER. Garn! You know why. Course it's not my business; but you needn't start kiddin me about it. TANNER. I am not kidding. I don't know why. STRAKER. [Cheerfully sulky] Oh, very well. All right. It ain't my business. TANNER. [impressively] I trust, Enry, that, as between employer and engineer, I shall always know how to keep my proper distance, and not intrude my private affairs on you. Even our business arrangements are subject to the approval of your Trade Union. But don't abuse your advantages. Let me remind you that Voltaire said that what was too silly to be said could be sung.