[_One of the waiters goes out, in obedience to a direction from LUIGI, at the door on the left as HENEAGE enters with ENID, GRIMWOOD with NITA, and VON RETTENMAYER with MRS. STIDULPH at the right-hand door at the back. A wisp of hair has fallen over HENEAGE'S forehead, GRIMWOOD looks somewhat downcast, and VON RETTENMAYER is obviously bored by MRS. STIDULPH._ ENID. [_To HENEAGE, walking across to the left._] Never been to Ostend! You've never been born, then. I'm counting the hours to my holiday. [_Sitting in the chair on the nearer side of the fireplace._] Hotel de la Plage. Why don't you run over while I'm there? NITA. [_To GRIMWOOD, following ENID._] My dear boy, I give you my solemn word it wasn't you. It was that fool Bertie. Anyhow, it's a rotten old frock. [_Showing a small rent in her skirt to ENID, gaily._] Pom, pa-ra, rom, pom, pom! [_HENEAGE and GRIMWOOD go to the counter, secure a waiter, and return with him to ENID and NITA. The waiter receives his orders and presently fetches the ladies glasses of lemonade._ MRS. STIDULPH. [_Whispering to VON RETTENMAYER._] Well! Did you ever! Just fancy! VON RETTENMAYER. [_Absently, looking at ENID._] I beg your bardon? MRS. STIDULPH. Fancy those two girls walking into a room before _us_! [_Discovering the fan upon the floor._] Oh, I do believe that's my fan! [_VON RETTENMAYER restores the fan to MRS. STIDULPH as ROPER and GABRIELLE enter at the door on the left._ GABRIELLE. [_To ROPER, in a low, complaining voice._] It's a shame of you; that's what it is. You went and put Lily Parradell into rubber and enabled _her_ to make a bit. She told us so. ROPER. Yes; but how long ago? GABRIELLE. That's not the point. The point is, it's always Lily Parradell with you; you never do anything for us other girls. [_She sits upon the nearer settee in the centre and she and ROPER, he standing by her, continue their conversation._ MRS. STIDULPH. [_To VON RETTENMAYER._] No, thanks; I'm on a diet. Didn't you notice me at supper? [_Moving to the settee on the right._] Let's sit. [_To STIDULPH._] Oh, get up. [_STIDULPH rises quickly._] Why aren't you dancing? If you don't dance, go home and put yourself to bed. You might, for all the good you're doing here. STIDULPH. [_With a forced, painful laugh._] Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! VON RETTENMAYER. [_As MRS. STIDULPH seats herself._] Blenty of room for you too, Golonel. STIDULPH. No, no; I won't inconvenience you. [_He moves away and VON RETTENMAYER sits beside MRS. STIDULPH. The waiter who has previously gone out now returns at the door on the left with a tray of ices in paper cases. He goes to the counter for a supply of ice-spoons as FARNCOMBE enters with LILY at the right-hand door at the back. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes sparkling._ ROPER. [_All his attention suddenly directed to LILY and FARNCOMBE._] Here's Lil! LILY.