[_Cutting a slice of cake._] Lal, the world 'ud be a much happier place to live in if Lloyd George taxed your jokes. VON RETTENMAYER, BLAND, and DE CASTRO. [_Returning to the tea-table._] Ha, ha, ha, ha! LILY. [_To FARNCOMBE, who remains standing near her._] Seen our show at the Pandora? FARNCOMBE. [_Gazing at her._] Twenty-three times. LILY. Not really? FARNCOMBE. This week and last, every night. LILY. [_Running her eye over him._] You in the Guards, by any chance? FARNCOMBE. [_Nodding._] Yes. LILY. [_Smiling._] Ah, you'll never do a braver deed than seeing our show twenty-three times. JIMMIE. [_As ROPER leaves her to go to the table, her mouth full of cake._] Boys! [_Choking._] Heugh, heugh, heugh! Wait a minute; I've swallowed some of the Baron's German. [_Gulping._] B-oys, seriously-- no rot-- [_raising her tea-cup_] jolly good health to Lily! [_There is a cry of approbation from BLAND, VON RETTENMAYER, DE CASTRO and ROPER. FARNCOMBE fetches himself a cup of tea from the tea-table._] She's a white woman, Lily is-- the staunchest, truest pal, where she takes a liking---- BLAND, VON RETTENMAYER, DE CASTRO, AND ROPER. Hear, hear! MRS. UPJOHN. [_Pressing forward through the men and going to LILY._] And the best daughter breathing. [_Embracing LILY and then turning to the others._] D'ye notice the new dress I'm wearin' this afternoon? LILY. Don't, mother; don't. MRS. UPJOHN. Fifteen guineas it's cost her. [_Sitting in the chair on the extreme left, proudly._] Madame Godolphin made it, and a 'at to go with it _ong sweet_. LILY. [_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Hu-s-s-sh! JIMMIE. Well---- [_sipping her tea as if drinking a toast_] in a cup of tea! BLAND, DE CASTRO, AND ROPER. [_Sipping their tea._] In a cup o' tea! VON RETTENMAYER. [_Drinking._] In a gob o' dea! JIMMIE. [_To VON RETTENMAYER, mockingly._] Gob o' dea! LILY. [_Waving her hand._] Thank you, Jimmie. Thank you, dear boys, from the bottom of my heart. JIMMIE. [_To the men._] By Jove, she saved _me_ once from going home to a cheap lodging and taking a dose of rat-killer! VON RETTENMAYER. [_Behind ROPER and DE CASTRO, peeping over their shoulders._] A pidy-- a gread pidy. JIMMIE. [_To VON RETTENMAYER._] I'll attend to you presently, Baron. LILY. [_To JIMMIE._] I remember. A wretched little shrimp you looked that day. JIMMIE.