He's on the leads, Miss Fullgarney, smoking a cigarette. SOPHY. [_Running across to the window._] Get my bag of tools ready! sharp! [MISS HUDDLE _and_ MISS LIMBIRD _go out;_ SOPHY _opens the window and calls._] Valma! Valma! Valma! [MISS MOON _returns with_ SOPHY'S _hat, coat, gloves and umbrella._ MISS MOON. Your things, Miss Fullgarney. SOPHY. [_Taking them from her._] Send for a hansom--a smart one. [MISS MOON _runs out as_ VALMA _enters at the window._ SOPHY. [_Breathlessly._] Valma--Valma, love! I've got an invite down to Richmond--Lady Owbridge--she's asked me specially! I'm going home to my place to smarten-up. Isn't it jolly? [_In an outburst._] Oh, love, you might give-up for to-day, and take me down! VALMA. May I? SOPHY. May you! Your hat--get your hat! you'll find me outside in a cab. [_He hurries away._ MISS LIMBIRD, _carrying a leather bag, enters, followed by_ MISS CLARIDGE _and_ MISS HUDDLE. SOPHY. [_As she, with the aid of her girls, pins on her hat and scrambles into her coat._] You know, girls, many a silly person's head would be turned at being asked to a place like Fauncey Court--as a guest, bear in mind. But there, the houses I've been in!--it's nothing to me. Still, specially invited by the Countess of Owbridge herself--! [_Putting her feet in turn upon a chair and hitching up her stockings._] I shall just make rather a favour of manicuring Mrs. Jack. One doesn't go visiting to cut Mrs. Jack's claws. Gloves! Thank goodness, the evenings are long! they say it's simply heavenly at Fauncey Court--simply heaven--[_She breaks off abruptly, staring straight before her. Under her breath._] Oh--! Fauncey Court--Lord Quex--! MISS CLARIDGE. What's the matter, Miss Fullgarney. SOPHY. N--n--nothing. MISS MOON. [_Entering._] Cab, Miss Fullgarney! SOPHY. [_In an altered voice._] Bag. [_She takes her bag from_ MISS LIMBIRD _and walks away, rather slowly, with her head down. Quietly, without turning._] See you in the morning, girls. THE FOUR GIRLS. Good afternoon, Miss Fullgarney. [SOPHY _goes out._ END OF THE FIRST ACT. THE SECOND ACT