ELIZABETH. I wouldn't. We haven't got central heating. ARNOLD. [_Taking no notice._] Will she expect me to kiss her? ELIZABETH. [_With a smile._] Surely. ARNOLD. It always makes me uncomfortable when people are effusive. ANNA. But I can't understand why you never saw her before. ARNOLD. I believe she tried to see me when I was little, but my father thought it better she shouldn't. ANNA. Yes, but when you were grown up? ARNOLD. She was always in Italy. I never went to Italy. ELIZABETH. It seems to me so pathetic that if you saw one another in the street you wouldn't recognise each other. ARNOLD. Is it my fault? ELIZABETH. You've promised to be very gentle with her and very kind. ARNOLD. The mistake was asking Porteous to come too. It looks as though we condoned the whole thing. And how am I to treat him? Am I to shake him by the hand and slap him on the back? He absolutely ruined my father's life. ELIZABETH. [_Smiling._] How much would you give for a nice motor accident that prevented them from coming? ARNOLD. I let you persuade me against my better judgment, and I've regretted it ever since. ELIZABETH. [_Good-humouredly._] I think it's very lucky that Anna and Teddie are here. I don't foresee a very successful party. ARNOLD. I'm going to do my best. I gave you my promise and I shall keep it. But I can't answer for my father. ANNA. Here is your father. [_MR. CHAMPION-CHENEY shows himself at one of the French windows._ C.-C. May I come in through the window, or shall I have myself announced by a supercilious flunkey? ELIZABETH. Come in. We've been expecting you. C.-C. Impatiently, I hope, my dear child. [_MR. CHAMPION-CHENEY is a tall man in the early sixties, spare, with a fine head of gray hair and an intelligent, somewhat ascetic face. He is very carefully dressed. He is a man who makes the most of himself. He bears his years jauntily. He kisses ELIZABETH and then holds out his hand to ARNOLD._ ELIZABETH. We thought you'd be in Paris for another month. C.-C. How are you, Arnold? I always reserve to myself the privilege of changing my mind. It's the only one elderly gentlemen share with pretty women. ELIZABETH. You know Anna. C.-C. [_Shaking hands with her._] Of course I do. How very nice to see you here! Are you staying long? ANNA. As long as I'm welcome. ELIZABETH. And this is Mr. Luton. C.-C. How do you do? Do you play bridge? LUTON. I do. C.-C. Capital. Do you declare without top honours? LUTON. Never. C.-C. Of such is the kingdom of heaven. I see that you are a good young man. LUTON. But, like the good in general, I am poor. C.-C. Never mind; if your principles are right, you can play ten shillings a hundred without danger. I never play less, and I never play more. ARNOLD. And you--are you going to stay long, father? C.-C. To luncheon, if you'll have me. [_ARNOLD gives ELIZABETH a harassed look._ ELIZABETH. That'll be jolly.