[_As he speaks MR. WACKERBATH bustles in from the door below the arch on the left. HORACE goes forward to meet him, PRINGLE remaining by the fireplace in wrathful astonishment._ MR. WACKERBATH. [_Shaking hands effusively with HORACE._] My _dear_ Mr. Ventimore, I really don't know _how_ to apologise, neither the wife nor myself down to receive you! I do hope you haven't been waiting long? HORACE. Only just come, I assure you. MR. WACKERBATH. We have a private room, you see--the wife prefers it to the--ah--publicity of the restaurant. [_The FIRST and SECOND WAITERS enter from the door on the left above the arch._] If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll just see how they've arranged the table. [_He bustles up to the table._] Why, hullo! What's _this_? Only four places! I ordered dinner for _six_! FIRST WAITER. I regret--but it is not my fault. I lay for six, and a gentleman assure me I am wrong, it is for four person only. MR. WACKERBATH. Don't _talk_ about it--put it right at once. I want a chair in here--and another here. [_He remains by the table, while the WAITERS replace chairs and bring back plates, glasses, &c._ PRINGLE. [_To HORACE._] Ventimore! [_HORACE crosses to fireplace._] Will you kindly explain to your host that that's _my_ dinner-table he's taking these liberties with? HORACE. I know nothing about it. You had better settle that with him yourself. PRINGLE. I intend to--presently. [_He stands, nursing his grievance, as MR. WACKERBATH comes down to HORACE._ MR. WACKERBATH. [_To HORACE._] Those fellows seem to have mistaken their orders. Lucky I noticed it in time! [_MRS. WACKERBATH enters from the door below arch._] Ah, here _is_ my wife! Eliza, my dear--[_presenting HORACE_]--our friend, Mr. Ventimore. MRS. WACKERBATH. [_To HORACE, cordially, but with a nervous, fluttered manner._] Oh, how do you _do_? I _am_ so pleased to meet you! I've been hearing so _much_ about you from my husband. [_She goes to sofa on the left, and sits._] It will be _so_ delightful to have a home at last that is _really_ fit to live in! [_PRINGLE, hearing this, makes a contemptuous ejaculation to himself._ MR. WACKERBATH. [_To HORACE._] I ought to tell you this is quite an _impromptu_ little affair. The wife only came up this morning for a day or two in town, and asked some old friends of ours to dinner. So I wired to you on the off-chance of your being free to come and meet them. MRS. WACKERBATH. So kind of you to come on such short notice! HORACE. I was delighted. MRS. WACKERBATH.