MATILDA: Please, m'm, it's only Mrs. Cobley's daughter To say the washing shall be sent to-morrow, And would you check the list again and see, Because she thinks she never had two collars Of what you sent, but only five, because You marked it seven; and Mrs. Cobley says There must be some mistake. REV. A. HAVERTON (_pompously_): I will attend to it. MRS. HAVERTON (_whispering angrily_): How can you, Archibald! You haven't got The ghost of an idea about the washing! Sit down. (_He does so_.) (_To Matilda_) Send the Girl in here. MRS. HAVERTON _sits down in a fume_. REV. A. HAVERTON: I think.... MRS. HAVERTON (_snapping_): I don't care what you think! (_Groans_.) Oh, dear! I'm nearly off my head! _Enter_ MISS COBLEY. (_She bobs_.) Good evening, m'm. MRS. HAVERTON (_by way of reply_): Now, then! What's all this fuss about the washing? MISS COBLEY: Please, m'm, the seven collars, what you sent-- I mean the seven what was marked--was wrong, And mother says as you'd have had the washing Only there weren't but five, and would you mind.... MRS. HAVERTON (_sharply_): I cannot understand a word you say. Go back and tell your mother there were _seven_. And if she sends home _five_ she pays for _two_. So there! (_Snorts_.) MISS COBLEY (_sobbing_): I'm sure I.... MRS. HAVERTON (_savagely_): Don't stand snuffling there! Go back and tell your mother what I say.... Impudent hussy!... (_Exit_ MISS COBLEY _sobbing. A pause._) REV. A. HAVERTON (_with assumed authority_): To return to Helen. Tell me concisely and without complaints, Why did she give you notice? (_A hand-bell rings in the passage_.) FIDO: Bow-wow-wow! REV. A. HAVERTON (_giving him a smart kick_): Shurrup! FIDO (_howling_). Pen-an'-ink! Pen-an'-ink Pen-an'-ink! Pen-an'-ink! REV. A. HAVERTON (_controlling himself, as well as he can, goes to the door and calls into the passage_): Miss Grosvenor! (_Louder_) ... Miss Grosvenor!... Was that the bell for prayers? Was that the bell for prayers?... (_Louder_) Miss Grosvenor. (_Louder_) Miss Gros-ve-nor! (_Tapping with his foot_.) Oh!... MISS GROSVENOR (_sweetly and, far off_): Is that Mr. Haverton? REV. A. HAVERTON: Yes! yes! yes! yes!... Was that the bell for prayers? MISS GROSVENOR (_again_): Yes? Is that Mr. Haverton? Oh! Yes! I think it is.... I'll see--I'll ask Matilda. (_A pause, during which the_ REV. A. HAVERTON _is in a qualm_.) MISS GROSVENOR (_rustling back_): Matilda says it _is_ the bell for prayers. (_They all come filing into the study and arranging the chairs. As they enter_ MISS HARVEY, _the guest, treads heavily on MATILDA'S foot._) MISS HARVEY: Matilda? Was that you? I _beg_ your pardon. MATILDA (_limping_): Granted, I'm sure, miss!