off his white tie, rolls it up and crams it into his pocket._] When Wormington arrives I will borrow some money and send out for a black cravat! All my pocket money is in my overcoat at the Hotel des Princes. If the police seize it there is some consolation in knowing that that money will never be returned to me. [_There is a knock at the door._] Come in! _LUGG enters._ LUGG. Your servant, Mr. Wyke, wants to see you, sir MR. POSKET. Bring him in. [_LUGG goes out._] Wyke! From Agatha! From Agatha! _LUGG re-enters with WYKE._ WYKE. Ahem! Good morning, sir. MR. POSKET. Good morning, Wyke. Ahem! Is Master Farringdon quite well? WYKE. He hadn't arrived home, when I left, sir. MR. POSKET. Oh! Where is that boy? [_To WYKE._] How's your mistress this morning, Wyke? WYKE. Very well, I hope, sir; _she_ ain't come home yet, either. MR. POSKET. Not returned--nor Miss Verrinder? WYKE. No, sir--neither of them. MR. POSKET. [_To himself._] Lady Jenkins is worse, they are still nursing her! Good women, true women! WYKE. [_To himself._] That's eased his deceivin' old mind. MR. POSKET. [_To himself._] Now, if the servants don't betray me and Cis returns safely, the worst is over. To what a depth I have fallen when I rejoice at Lady Jenkins' indisposition! WYKE. Cook thought you ought to know that the mistress hadn't come home, sir. MR. POSKET. Certainly. Take a cab at once to Campden Hill and bring me back word how poor Lady Jenkins is. Tell Mrs. Posket I will come on the moment the Court rises. WYKE. Yes, sir. MR. POSKET. And, Wyke. It is not at all necessary that Mrs. Posket should know of my absence with Master Farringdon from home last night. Mrs. Posket's present anxieties are more than sufficient. Inform Cook, and Popham, and the other servants that I shall recognise their discretion in the same spirit I have already displayed towards you. WYKE. [_With sarcasm._] Thank you, sir. I will. [_He produces from his waistcoat-pocket a small packet of money done up in newspaper, which he throws down upon the table._] Meanwhile, sir, I thought you would like to count up the little present of money you gave me last night, and in case you thought you'd been over-liberal, sir, you might halve the amount. It isn't no good spoiling of us all, sir. _LUGG enters._ MR. POSKET. You are an excellent servant, Wyke; I am very pleased. I will see you when you return from Lady Jenkins's. Be quick. WYKE. Yes, sir. [_To himself._] He won't give me twopence again in a hurry. [_He goes out; LUGG is about to follow._ MR. POSKET. Oh, Lugg, I want you to go to the nearest hosier's and purchase me a neat cravat. LUGG. [_Looking inquisitively at MR. POSKET._] A necktie, sir? MR. POSKET. Yes. [_Turning up his coat collar to shield himself from LUGG'S gaze._] A necktie--a necktie. LUGG. What sort of a kind of one, sir? MR. POSKET. Oh, one like Mr. Wormington's. LUGG. One like he's wearing this morning, sir? MR. POSKET.