_Sir Rup._ I don't know that I'm in the habit of being uncivil to any guest of yours in this house, my dear, but I'll be hanged if I _grovel_ to him, you know; the tide ain't as high as all that. But it's an infernal nuisance, 'pon my word it is; you must look after him yourself, _I_ can't. I don't know what to talk to geniuses about; I've forgotten all the poetry I ever learnt. And if he comes out with any of his Red Republican theories in _my_ hearing, why---- _Lady Culv._ Oh, but he _won't_, dear. I'm certain he'll be quite mild and inoffensive. Look at SHAKSPEARE--the bust, I mean--and _he_ began as a poacher! _Sir Rup._ Ah, and this chap would put down the Game Laws if he could, I daresay; do away with everything that makes the country worth living in. Why, if he had his way, ALBINIA, there wouldn't be---- _Lady Culv._ I know, dear, I know. And you must make him see all that from _your_ point. Look, the weather really seems to be clearing a little. We might all of us get out for a drive or something after lunch. I would ride, if _Deerfoot_'s all right again; he's the only horse I ever feel _really_ safe upon, now. _Sir Rup._ Sorry, my dear, but you'll have to drive then. ADAMS tells me the horse is as lame as ever this morning, and he don't know what to make of it. He suggested having HORSFALL over, but I've no faith in the local vets myself, so I wired to town for old SPAVIN. He's seen _Deerfoot_ before, and we could put him up for a night or two. (_To_ TREDWELL, _the butler, who enters with a telegram._) Eh, for me? just wait, will you, in case there's an answer. (_As he opens it._) Ah, this _is_ from SPAVIN--h'm, nuisance! "Regret unable to leave at present, bronchitis, junior partner could attend immediately if required.--SPAVIN." Never knew he _had_ a partner. _Tredw._ I did hear, Sir RUPERT, as Mr. SPAVIN was looking out for one quite recent, being hasthmatical, m'lady, and so I suppose this is him as the telegram alludes to. _Sir Rup._ Very likely. Well, he's sure to be a competent man. We'd better have him, eh, ALBINIA? _Lady Culv._ Oh, yes, and he must stay till _Deerfoot_'s better. I'll speak to POMFRET about having a room ready in the East Wing for him. Tell him to come by the 4.45, RUPERT. We shall be sending the omnibus in to meet that. _Sir Rup._ All right, I've told him. (_Giving the form to_ TREDWELL.) See that that's sent off at once, please. (_After_ TREDWELL _has left._) By the way, ALBINIA, ROHESIA may kick up a row if she has to come up in the omnibus with a vet, eh? _Lady Culv._ Goodness, so she might! but he needn't go _inside_. Still, if it goes on raining--I'll tell THOMAS to order a fly for him at the station, and then there _can't_ be any bother about it. * * * * * [Illustration: BLASÉ. _Kitty_ (_reading a fairy tale_). "'ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A FROG----'" _Mabel_ (_interrupting_). "I BET IT'S A PRINCESS! GO ON!"] * * * * *