_Mr. Tid._ That's not _all_, Sir. When you saw me and my Uncle engaged in talking business, what did you cut in for with a cock-and-bull story about the Boxing Kangaroo being formed into a Limited Company, and say the Kangaroo was going to join the Board after allotment? You couldn't really believe the beast was eligible as a Director--an _animal_, Sir! _Lord Strath._ Why not? They have _guinea-pigs_ on the Board occasionally, don't they? But of course it was only a joke. _Mr. Tid._ You weren't _asked_ to make jokes. My Uncle doesn't understand 'em--no more do I, Sir! _Lord Strath._ No, I gathered that. (_Breaking out._) Confound it all, Sir, what do you mean by this? If you didn't want me, why couldn't you tell me so? You knew it before _I_ did! I don't understand your peculiar ideas of hospitality. I've kept my temper as long as I could; but, dash it all, if you force me to speak out, I will! _Mr. Tid._ (_alarmed_). No, no, I--I meant no offence--you won't go and let everything out now! It was a mistake, that's all--and there's no harm done. You got your _dinner_ all right, didn't you? By the way, talking of that, can you give me any idea what they'll charge me for this, eh? What's the _regular_ thing now? _Lord Strath._ (_to himself_). Extraordinary little bounder--wants me to price his dinner for him! (_Aloud._) Couldn't give a guess! _Mr. Tid._ Well, considering I sent round and all that, I think they ought to make _some_ reduction--y'know. But _you_'ve nothing to do with that, eh? I'm to settle up with BLANKLEY'S? _Lord Strath._ I should say he would prefer your doing so--but it's really no business of mine, and--er--it's getting rather late---- _Mr. Tid._ (_opening the door_). There, we'll go up. And look here, _do_ try and be a bit stiffer with my Uncle. It's too bad the way he goes on my-lording you, y'know. You shouldn't encourage him! _Lord Strath._ I wasn't aware I _did_. (_To himself._) Trying, this. But never mind, I shall see MARJORY in another minute! _Mr. Tid._ (_to himself_). The _airs_ these chaps give themselves! Oh, lor, there's Uncle GABRIEL hooking on to him _again_. If he only knew! [_He follows them upstairs uneasily._ SCENE X.--_In the Drawing-room_; GWENDOLEN _is still whispering in_ Mrs. GILWATTLE'S _ear_. _Mrs. Gilw._ Eh? You're tickling my ear, child--don't come so close. Louder. Yes, go on. "Sat next to him at dinner?" _Well_, what _about_ him?... _What?_... What's the child talking about now?... "A gentleman out of BLANKLEY'S shop"!! "Hired for the evening"!!! Let her alone, MARIA, _I_ know who's telling the truth! So _this_ is your precious Nobleman, is it? Oh, the _deceit_ of it all! [_The door opens, and_ Uncle GABRIEL _enters, clinging affectionately to_ Lord STRATHSPORRAN'S _arm_.