_Mrs. Toov._ Don't attempt to deceive _me_! You are entertaining a man downstairs, contrary to all my orders. Yes, it's useless to deny it, your master has distinctly heard sounds. _Mr. Toov._ No, my love, I can't exactly say as much as that--but--yes, every time the door opens it's more perceptible! (_He sniffs._) Don't you observe yourself, my dear, a remarkably strong odour of tobacco-smoke? Now, as I never have been a smoker myself, it stands to reason that---- [_Mrs. T. suddenly sits down, scarlet._ [Illustration: "Mrs. Toovey suddenly sits down, scarlet."] _Ph[oe]be_ (_roused_). I'm sure if you and master suspect me of concealing followers downstairs, you're welcome to search as much as you please! Cook's gone up to bed hours ago, and for a poor girl to be kep' up to this time o' night, and then have her character took away--why, I'm not accustomed to such treatment, and, what's more, put up with it I _won't_. _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself, guiltily_). It's that filthy smoke at the Eldorado! (_Aloud._) THEOPHILUS, how can you have such ridiculous fancies? Tobacco, indeed! I--_I_ don't notice anything. PH[OE]BE, it was a mistake of your master's; I don't blame you in the least. There, you've sat up long enough, go to bed, go, girl! _Ph[oe]be._ Beggin' your pardon, m'm, but insinuations have been descended to which I can't pass over in a hurry, and before I go I should wish---- _Mrs. Toov._ (_feverishly_). I tell you it was all a mistake. Your master will apologise for it. Pa, say you're sorry! _Ph[oe]be._ I don't require no apologies from _master_, m'm. I can make allowances for _him_--more partickler as there's no mistake about there being a smell of tobaccer-smoke. I don't wonder at _anyone_ noticing it. It's your sending for me like this, and trying to shift the blame on the innercent, when all the time---- _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). This is too intolerable! (_Aloud._) Haven't I _said_ I didn't blame you, you unreasonable girl! Let us have no more of this impertinence! Leave us! _Ph[oe]be._ I will, m'm, as soon as ever you can get suited, for, to tell you the truth, I don't like such goings on as these; and I'll take care I get a good character, too, or I'll know the reason why! (_As she closes the door._) And I 'ope master will satisfy himself where the smell of tobacco reelly _does_ come from, I'm sure; it isn't from _downstairs_! [_She vanishes, leaving Mrs. T. petrified._ _Mr. Toov._ You see, my love, it couldn't have been all my fancy, because PH[OE]BE noticed it too. Dear me, it's late; I'd better go and see that everything is locked up. (_As he passes_ Mrs. T.) It's very extraordinary. Surely they don't allow any of the missionaries to smoke at these Zenana meetings, my love--do they? _Mrs. Toov._ Of course they don't. I--I am at a loss to understand you. THEOPHILUS, and--and I am going to bed.