_Boy (re-appearing)._ I managed to get a few words with THOMAS, our second footman, just as he was coming out o' the 'All, and _he_ sez the only porkmanteau with a white star was took up to the Verney Chamber, which THOMAS unpacked it hisself. _Und._ Then tell THOMAS, with my compliments, that he will trouble himself to pack it again immediately. _Boy._ But THOMAS has to wait at table, and besides, he says as he laid out the dress things, and the gen'lman as is in the Verney Chamber is a wearin' of 'em now, Sir. _Und. (indignant)._ But they're _mine_! Confound his impudence! Here, I'll write him a line at once. (_He scribbles a note._) Here, see that the gentleman of the Verney Chamber gets this at once, and bring me his answer. _Boy._ What! _me_ go into the Dinin' 'All, with all the swells at table? I dursn't. I should get the sack from old TREDDY. _Und._ I don't care who takes it so long as it is taken. Tell THOMAS it's _his_ mistake, and he must do what he can to put it right. Say I shall certainly complain if I don't get back my clothes and portmanteau. Get that note delivered, and I'll give you half-a-crown. (_To himself, as the Boy departs much against his will._) So, not content with denying me a place at her table, this Lady CULVERIN allows her minions to clothe a more favoured guest at my expense! I'm hanged if I stand it. SCENE XVIII.--_The Dining Hall. The table is oval_; SPURRELL _is placed between_ Lady RHODA COKAYNE _and_ Mrs. BROOKE-CHATTERIS. _Mrs. Chatteris (encouragingly, after they are seated)._ Now, I shall expect you to be very brilliant and entertaining. _I_'ll do all the listening for once in a way--though, generally, I can talk about all manner of silly things with _anybody_! _Spurrell (extremely ill at ease)._ Oh--er--I should say you were equal to _that_. But I really can't think of anything to talk _about_. _Mrs. Chatt._ That's a bad beginning. I always find the _menu_ cards such a good subject when there's anything at all out of the common about them. If they're ornamented, you _can_ talk about them--though not for _very_ long at a time, don't you think? _Spurr. (miserably)._ I can't say how long I could go on about _ornamented_ ones--but these are plain. (_To himself._) I can hear this waistcoat going already; and we're only at the soup!