_Capt. Thick. (to himself)._ Can't even speak of him without a change of colour. Bad sign that! (_Aloud._) You always _were_ keen about poetry and literature and that in the old days, weren't you? Used to rag me for not readin' enough. But I do now. I was readin' a book only last week. I'll tell you the name if you give me a minute to think--book everybody's readin' just now--no end of a clever book. [Miss SPELWANE _rushes across to_ Lady MAISIE. _Miss Spelw._ MAISIE, dear, how are you? You look _so_ tired! That's the journey, I suppose. (_Whispering._) Do tell me--is that really the author of _Andromeda_ drinking tea close by? You're a _great_ friend of his, I know. Do be a dear, and introduce him to me! I declare the dogs have made friends with him already. Poets have such a wonderful attraction for animals, haven't they? [Lady MAISIE _has to bring_ SPURRELL _up and introduce him:_ Captain THICKNESSE _chooses to consider himself dismissed_. _Miss Spelw. (with shy adoration)._ Oh, Mr. SPURRELL, I feel as if I _must_ talk to you about _Andromeda_. I _did_ so admire it! _Spurr. (to himself)._ Another of 'em! They seem uncommonly sweet on "bulls" in this house! (_Aloud._) Very glad to hear you say so, I'm sure. I've seen nothing to touch her myself. I don't know if you noticed all her points----? _Miss Spelw._ Indeed, I believe none of them were lost upon me; but my poor little praise must seem so worthless and ignorant! _Spurr. (indulgently)._ Oh, I wouldn't say _that_. I find some ladies very knowing about these things. I'm having a picture done of her. _Miss Spelw._ Are you really? _How_ delightful! As a frontispiece? _Spurr._ Eh? Oh no--full length, and sideways--so as to show her legs, you know. _Miss Spelw._ Her legs? Oh, of _course_--with "her roseal toes cramped." I thought that such a _wonderful_ touch! _Spurr._ They're not more cramped than they ought to be; she never turned them _in_, you know! _Miss Spelw. (mystified)._ I didn't mean that. And now tell me--if it's not an indiscreet question--when do you expect there'll be another edition? _Spurr. (to himself)._ Another addition! _She_'s cadging for a pup now! (_Aloud._) Oh--er--really--couldn't say. _Miss Spelw._ I'm sure the first must be disposed of by this time. I shall look out for the next _so_ eagerly! _Spurr. (to himself)._ Time I "off"ed it. (_Aloud._) Afraid I can't say anything definite--and, excuse me leaving you, but I think Lady CULVERIN is looking my way. _Miss Spelw._ Oh, by all _means_! (_To herself._) I might as well praise a pillar-post! And after spending quite half an hour reading him up, too! I wonder if BERTIE PILLINER was right; but I shall have him all to myself at dinner. _Lady Cant._ And where is _Rupert_? too busy of _course_ to come and say a word! Well, some day he may understand what a sister is--when it's too late. Ah, here's our nice unassuming young poet coming up to talk to you. Don't _repel_ him, my dear!