[_The band strikes up the air of "Mind the Paint" as LILY enters at the right-hand door at the back with JIMMIE BIRCH. LILY is dressed in white, and altogether fulfils exteriorly ROPER'S description of "angelic." She carries a large bouquet of lilies and pale roses with a broad ribbon flowing from it. All the men but FARNCOMBE, who holds aloof, press round her, STIDULPH rising and joining them. The ladies follow._ THE MEN. [_Struggling for her hand._] Many happy returns of day! Many happy returns of the day! Many happy returns of the day! JIMMIE. [_Battling with the men._] Keep away from her! Bertie, you're on her frock! Mind her frock! ROPER. Mind the paint! SOME OF THE MEN. Ha, ha, ha! LILY. [_Holding her bouquet above her head._] My roses! Be careful of me, boys! One at a time! THE MEN. Many happy returns of the day! LILY. I want to kiss the girls. Girls----! [_The men make way for the ladies who come to LILY._ THE LADIES. Many happy returns of the day! LILY. [_Embracing them._] Sybil-- Nita--! Oh, Mrs. Stidulph!-- Enid-- Daphne-- Gabs-- Flo dear-- Olga-- 'Vangy----! PALK. [_Suddenly._] Here's the guv'nor! [_SMYTHE enters at the door on the left. LUIGI and the waiters are behind him, the waiters carrying trays on which are sugar-casters and dishes of powdered ginger. At once there is a movement towards SMYTHE of everybody except those who have already greeted him, and LILY who is detained by ROPER and others._ TAVISH. How are you, guv'nor? SOME OF THE LADIES. How d'ye do, Mr. Smythe? OTHER LADIES. [_Hustling him._] How are you, Carlton? SMYTHE. [_In the midst of them all._] Girls, girls! I'll shake hands with you all in turn, girls. ENID. Thought you were dead. DAPHNE. Yes; look at Olga-- she's in deep mourning. SOME OF THE LADIES. Ha, ha, ha! SMYTHE. [_Shaking hands._] Don't, girls, don't; you're smothering me. LILY. [_During a momentary lull, finding FARNCOMBE standing before her and raising her eyebrows._] You! [_Giving him her hand carelessly._] Oh, it isn't long before we meet again, is it? SMYTHE. [_Puffing and blowing._] That's the lot of yer. Phew! Where's Lily? Lily here? [_The crowd divides, to allow him to advance. Seeing LILY, he opens his arms and she goes to him and lays her head upon his breast._] Lil-- [_patting her shoulders_] my dear! LILY. [_Half gaily, half tearfully._] Ha, ha, ha! Carlton! SMYTHE. Go'blessyer! [_In another tone._] Well, what about something to eat! LUIGI. Ready, Mr. Smythe. [_Loudly._] Ladies and gentlemen, supper is ready! SMYTHE. Ha! COOLING. [_At the principal table._] Here you are, Chief! Miss Parradell! SMYTHE. [_To LILY._] Come along! [_There is a general hunt for places and much hubbub and confusion._ COOLING. [_Calling to ROPER._] Lal, that's your table. ROPER. [_Imitating a shop-walker._] Mr. Roper, forward! COOLING. Mrs. Stidulph! Lord Farncombe! [_Pointing to another table._] Glynn, you're there. BLAND.