_Phill._ (_repulsing him_). Not quite so fast, JAMES. Before I say whether we're to be as we were or not, I want to know a little more about you. You wouldn't be here like this if you hadn't done _something_ to distinguish yourself. _Spurr._ Well, I don't say I mayn't have got a certain amount of what they call "kudos," owing to _Andromeda_. But what difference does that make? _Phill._ Tell me, JAMES, is it _you_ that's been writing a pink book all over silver cutlets? _Spurr._ Me? Write a book--about cutlets--or anything else! EMMA, you don't suppose I've quite come to that! _Andromeda_'s the name of my bull-dog. I took first prize with her; there were portraits of both of us in one of the papers. And the people here were very much taken with the dog, and--and so they asked me to dine with them. That's how it was. _Phill._ I should have thought, if they asked one of you to dine, it ought to have been the bull-dog. _Spurr._ Now what's the good of saying extravagant things of that sort? Not that old _Drummy_ couldn't be trusted to behave anywhere! _Phill._ Better than her master, I daresay. _I_ heard of your goings on with some Lady RHODA or other! _Spurr._ Oh, the girl I sat next to at dinner? Nice chatty sort of girl; seems fond of quadrupeds---- _Phill._ Especially two-legged ones! You see I've been told all about it! _Spurr._ I assure you I didn't go a step beyond the most ordinary civility. You're not going to be jealous because I promised I'd give her a liniment for one of her dogs, are you? _Phill._ Liniment! You always _were_ a flirt, JAMES! But I'm not jealous. I've met a very nice-spoken young man while I've been here; he sat next to me at supper, and paid me the most beautiful compliments, and was most polite and attentive--though he hasn't got as far as liniment, at present. _Spurr._ But, EMMA, you're not going to take up with some other fellow just when we've come together again? _Phill._ If you call it "coming together," when I'm down in the Housekeeper's Room, and you're up above, carrying on with ladies of title! _Spurr._ Do you want to drive me frantic? As if I could help being where I am! How could I know _you_ were here? _Phill._ At all events you know _now_, JAMES. And it's for you to choose between your smart lady-friends and me. If you're fit company for them, you're too grand for one of their maids. _Spurr._ My dear girl, don't be unreasonable! I'm expected back in the Drawing Room, and I _can't_ throw 'em over now all of a sudden without giving offence. There's the interests of the firm to consider, and it's not for me to take a lower place than I'm given. But it's only for a night or two, and you don't really suppose I wouldn't rather be where you are if I was free to choose--but I'm _not_, EMMA, that's the worst of it!