JIMMIE. [_Also losing her temper._] Oh, well, then, have it in the neck! Lil's declined young Farncombe. There! And when _you_ crack a joke next, Mr. Roper, I beg you'll contrive to favour us with a little variety; [_flouncing away_] because you bore me pallid with your rotten wheezes, and always have done. ROPER. [_Going to MRS. UPJOHN, aghast at the tidings._] Ma----! MRS. UPJOHN. [_To ROPER, under her breath._] Won't draw 'im into 'er net, Uncle. ROPER. Won't draw him into her----? JIMMIE. [_At the back._] K-n-e-double t-- net! MRS. UPJOHN. [_Pacifically._] Jimmie----! JIMMIE. [_Mimicking ROPER derisively._] Hullo, hullo, hullo, hul-lo! Fresh fish from the sea! Buy 'em on the beach; buy 'em on the beach; buy 'em on the beach! ROPER. [_To JIMMIE, indignantly._] Jimmie Birch----! JIMMIE. [_Sitting upon the fauteuil-stool._] Ha, ha! ROPER. [_To MRS. UPJOHN, wiping his brow._] Of course, there is _this_ to be said, Ma. [_Rallying at the idea._] It may be wise of dear Lil to decline Farncombe _at first_. It-- it-- it-- it doesn't do for a girl, does it, to appear to throw herself at _any_ man, let alone a young fellow of the position-- the-- the-- the social status----! LILY. [_Suddenly sitting up and putting her feet to the floor again._] Oh, for mercy's sake, cease discussing my affairs in my presence! [_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Mother, why do you keep Uncle Lal in the dark? [_To JIMMIE._] Jimmie, why don't _you_----? ROPER. In the dark! MRS. UPJOHN. Yes, Lal; your flyin' out at Jimmie over 'er 'armless joke stopped 'er finishin'. ROPER. Finishing----? MRS. UPJOHN. Lil's not on'y refused young Farncombe but she's gone an' plighted 'erself to another individual. ROPER. Plighted herself----? LILY. [_Passionately._] To one of the best! To one of the best! ROPER. [_Stupefied._] Do I-- do I know him? JIMMIE. Ha! LILY. Know him! You know him sufficiently to have plotted and schemed to prevent his being asked to the party last night. JIMMIE. [_To LILY._] Did Lal do that? LILY. _Did_ he! JIMMIE. Impudence! ROPER. [_Sitting in the arm-chair by the centre table-- quietly._] Jeyes! JIMMIE. Nicko. LILY. [_Firmly._] Nicko. MRS. UPJOHN. But the Captain _was_ at the party last night notwithstandin'. JIMMIE. [_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Nonsense, Ma! LILY. Yes, Nicko managed to get into the theatre somehow or other. JIMMIE. [_To LILY._] And watched you and young Farncombe----! LILY. And stationed himself under the portico of Twenty seven, to see who brought me home. JIMMIE. Oh----! MRS. UPJOHN. 'E's always been frightfully jealous, the Captain 'as. JIMMIE. [_Looking at ROPER._] Oh, so _really_ it's entirely owing to Lal Roper's interference that matters were brought to a head this morning! LILY. [_Her eyes flashing._] Entirely. MRS. UPJOHN. [_Joining in the attack upon ROPER._] Yes, if Lal 'ad been content to mind 'is own business---- JIMMIE. And hadn't meddled----! MRS. UPJOHN. _An'_ muddled----!