By George, madam, and am I to subscribe to all this? AGATHA POSKET. I only ask you to avoid the question of dates. LUKYN. But, at a man's dinner-table---- AGATHA POSKET. You need not spoil a man's dinner. Not only a man's--but a woman's! Lukyn, Lukyn! Promise! LUKYN. Give me a second to think. [_LUKYN, turning away, discovers CHARLOTTE in the act of lifting the covers from the dishes and inspecting the contents._ LUKYN. Ah, devilled oysters! CHARLOTTE. Oh! [_Drops dish-cover with a crash, and runs over to the table and speaks to AGATHA POSKET._ LUKYN. Don't go--pray look at 'em again--wish I could persuade you to taste them. What am I to do? Shall I promise? Poor Posket! If I don't promise she'll cry and won't go home. The oysters are nearly cold--cold! What must _he_ be! [_Drawing aside the curtain, and not seeing VALE, he staggers back._] Gone--and without a cry--brave fellow, brave fellow! AGATHA POSKET. Colonel Lukyn. LUKYN. Decay of stamina in the army--pah! The young 'uns are worthy of our best days. AGATHA POSKET. Colonel Lukyn, will you promise? LUKYN. Promise? Anything, my dear madam, anything. AGATHA POSKET. Ah, thank you! May I ask you to see us to our cab? LUKYN. Certainly! Thank heaven, they're going! AGATHA POSKET. [_To CHARLOTTE._] It's all right; come along! CHARLOTTE. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] Oh, those oysters look so nice. LUKYN. [_To himself._] Stop! In my trouble, I am forgetting even the commonest courtesies to these ladies. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] You have a long journey before you. I am sure your husband would not forgive me for letting you face such weather unprepared. Let me recommend an oyster or two and a thimbleful of champagne. AGATHA POSKET. No, thank you, Colonel Lukyn. CHARLOTTE. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] Say yes. I'm starving. LUKYN. As you please. [_To himself._] I knew they'd refuse. I've done my duty. CHARLOTTE. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] I was in the train till seven o'clock. Wait till you're a _boná-fide_ traveller--accept. AGATHA POSKET. Ahem! Colonel, the fact is my poor sister has been travelling all day and is a little exhausted. LUKYN. [_Horrified._] You don't mean to say you're going to give me the inestimable pleasure. [_CHARLOTTE looks across at him, nodding and smiling._] I am delighted. [_CHARLOTTE sits hungrily at table; LUKYN fetches a bottle of champagne from the sideboard._ AGATHA POSKET. [_To CHARLOTTE._] Charlotte, I am surprised. CHARLOTTE. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] Nonsense, the best people come here. Some of them have left their names on the mirrors. VALE. [_Behind the curtain._] This is much too bad of Lukyn. What are they doing now? [_LUKYN draws the cork._] Confound it, they're having my supper! [_LUKYN pours out wine._ CHARLOTTE. Why doesn't he give me something to eat? [_There is a clatter of knives and forks heard from the other room, then a burst of laughter from CIS._ AGATHA POSKET. [_Starting._] Charley, hark! How strange! CHARLOTTE.