AGONISED VOICE. (_From an inner apartment._) Minnie, run out and give Captain Gadsby some tea, and tell him I shall be ready in ten minutes; and, O Minnie, come to me an instant, there's a dear girl! MISS T. Oh, bother! (_Aloud._) Very well, Mamma. _Exit, and reappears, after five minutes, flushed, and rubbing her fingers._ MISS D. You look pink. What has happened? MISS T. (_In a stage whisper._) A twenty-four-inch waist, and she won't let it out. Where _are_ my bangles? (_Rummages on the toilet-table, and dabs at her hair with a brush in the interval._) MISS D. Who is this Captain Gadsby? I don't think I've met him. MISS T. You _must_ have. He belongs to the Harrar set. I've danced with him, but I've never talked to him. He's a big yellow man, just like a newly-hatched chicken, with an e-normous moustache. He walks like this (_imitates Cavalry swagger_), and he goes 'Ha-Hmmm!' deep down in his throat when he can't think of anything to say. Mamma likes him. I don't. MISS D. (_Abstractedly_.) Does he wax his moustache? MISS T. (_Busy with powder-puff_.) Yes, I think so. Why? MISS D. (_Bending oner the bodice and sewing furiously_.) Oh, nothing--only-- MISS T. (_Sternly_.) Only what? Out with it, Emma. MISS D. Well, May Olger--she's engaged to Mr. Charteris, you know--said--Promise you won't repeat this? MISS T. Yes, I promise. What did she say? MISS D. That--that being kissed (_with a rush_) by a man who _didn't_ wax his moustache was--like eating an egg without salt. MISS T. (_At her full height, with crushing scorn_.) May Olger is a horrid, nasty _Thing_, and you can tell her I said so. I'm glad she doesn't belong to my set--I must go and feed this _man!_ Do I look presentable? MISS D. Yes, perfectly. Be quick and hand him over to your Mother, and then we can talk. _I_ shall listen at the door to hear what you say to him. MISS T. 'Sure I don't care. _I'm_ not afraid of Captain Gadsby. _In proof of this swings into drawing-room with a mannish stride followed by two short steps, which produces the effect of a restive horse entering. Misses CAPTAIN GADSBY, who is sitting in the shadow of the window-curtain, and gazes round helplessly._ CAPTAIN GADSBY. (_Aside_.) The filly, by Jove! 'Must ha' picked up that action from the sire. (_Aloud, rising_.) Good evening, Miss Threegan. MISS T. (_Conscious that she is flushing_.) Good evening, Captain Gadsby. Mamma told me to say that she will be ready in a few minutes. Won't you have some tea? (_Aside_.) I hope Mamma will be quick. What _am_ I to say to the creature? (_Aloud and abruptly_.) Milk and sugar? CAPT. G. No sugar, tha-anks, and very little milk. Ha-Hmmm. MISS T. (_Aside_.) If he's going to do that, I'm lost. I shall laugh. I _know_ I shall! CAPT. G. (_Pulling at his moustache and watching it sideways down his nose_.) Ha-Hmmm. (_Aside_.) 'Wonder what the little beast can talk about. 'Must make a shot at it. MISS T. (_Aside_.) Oh, this is agonising. I _must_ say something.