[_They enter--salutations, &c. MR. PENDLETON wears a swallow-tail, black tie, &c. MRS. PENDLETON, a ponderous compromise. They are a respectable middle-class couple._] TIMBRELL. Well, well. How are you, Pendleton? Mrs. Pendleton, draw up to the fire. These young people are not here yet. Leonard never took much account of time. It's very good of you to have come. PENDLETON. Very happy indeed, I'm sure. TIMBRELL. You see, Mrs. Pendleton, we thought--I'm sure you'll understand--Christmas Eve, you know--and you and Pendleton such old friends. Of course we might have had just the family but they'll take it as a bit of a compliment to meet you. You know how it is--I needn't explain--They haven't been here yet. You'll quite understand. MRS. PENDLETON. Don't say any more about it, Mr. Timbrell. I'm sure you're behaving very well and we're very glad--very glad. TIMBRELL. Yes, and do you know, I believe the marriage is not going to turn out so badly after all. She'll make a man of him. I was very firm about it. However, we won't go into that now. MRS. TIMBRELL. Do you know my daughter-in-law, Mrs. Pendleton? MRS. PENDLETON. [_Turning to SHEILA._] Oh, yes, I've had the pleasure-- MRS. TIMBRELL. I didn't mean Sheila; I meant Mary--Mrs. Leonard. MRS. PENDLETON. Oh! well--know her? I--that is-- MRS. TIMBRELL. She was the best housemaid I ever had. TIMBRELL. Well, well, I think it's turning frosty again. What are you paying for coals now, Pendleton? [_Enter maidservant._] SERVANT. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Timbrell. [_LEONARD and MARY enter. He is in evening dress with a white waistcoat and white tie. MARY wears a low dress, not a very elaborate one but quite simple and pretty. The others look at them in some consternation._] TIMBRELL. Tut! tut! Oh! this is all wrong. MRS. TIMBRELL. [_Laughing a little as she goes forward to MARY._] Well, Mary, you are a swell. MARY. I didn't want to be like this. [_She turns rather distressfully to her husband who looks round at the company. General, rather stiff greetings._] LEONARD. We seem to have committed a slight error of judgment. I have, I mean. Mary, you have a sound social instinct. I can never tell what these bourgeois people will do. And mind you [_holding out his hand deprecatingly._]--I use the word simply and inoffensively. You understand that, Mrs. Pendleton. I'm an outsider. EDGAR. You mean a bounder? LEONARD. Quite good, Edgar, if you could only get a pleasant tone into your voice. As you say it it's so bad socially. And how are you, Sheila? SHEILA. I'm quite well, thank you. LEONARD. Chilly, chilly. Mother, you've got an awkward job this evening. TIMBRELL. Don't be absurd, sir. [_MRS. TIMBRELL and MARY retire up the stage and sit down together. ADA and SHEILA also converse together in whispers with MRS. PENDLETON. The four men are to the front._] PENDLETON. And what are you doing with yourself now, Leonard? LEONARD. Still at the old game, sir; still at the old game.