[_Placidly._] Where's the use o' talkin' it over? It's wastin' one's breath. [_Moving to the settee by the piano._] My Lil doesn't want to marry-- any'ow not yet awhile; she's 'appy and contented as she is. [_Sitting and smoothing out her skirt._] When she does, I s'pose it'll be the Captain. ROPER. [_Between his teeth._] The Captain! [_Quietly._] Ma, the day Lil marries Nicko Jeyes, you and she'll see the last o' _me_. MRS. UPJOHN. Oh, don't say that, Uncle. ROPER. I do say it. The disappointment 'ud be more than I could stand. Selfish, designing beggar! MRS. UPJOHN. Now, no low abuse. ROPER. A fellow who gets on the soft side of Lil before she's out of her teens-- before she's made any position to speak of; and when she _has_ made a position, and _he's_ practically on his uppers, sticks to her like a limpet! MRS. UPJOHN. She sticks to 'im, too. It meant a deal to Lil in 'er 'umble days, reck'lect-- receivin' attentions from a gentleman in the army. She doesn't forget that. ROPER. [_Jumping up and walking about._] It's cruel; that's what it is-- it's cruel. Here's Gwennie Harker and Maidie Trevail both married to peers' sons, and Eva Shafto to a baronet-- all of 'em Pandora girls; and Lil-- _she's_ left high and dry, engaged to a nobody! It's cruel! MRS. UPJOHN. She's not ackshally engaged. ROPER. Ho, ho! MRS. UPJOHN. The ideer was, when 'e shirked goin' to India an' gave up soldierin', so as to be near 'er, that 'e should get something to do in London; _then_ they were to be engaged. ROPER. [_Sarcastically._] Oh, to be just, I admit he's in no hurry. He's been a whole year looking for something to do in London-- looking for it at Catani's and at the Pandora bars! MRS. UPJOHN. 'E _'as_ to be on the spot at night, to bring Lil 'ome after 'er work. ROPER. Exactly! And when a decent, eligible young chap comes along, and means business, he's choked off by finding Nicko Jeyes in possession. [_Stopping before MRS. UPJOHN._] But, I say! MRS. UPJOHN. Wot? ROPER. _Farncombe_ hasn't tumbled to it yet. MRS. UPJOHN. [_Indifferently._] 'Asn't 'e? ROPER. Bertie Fulkerson's held his tongue about it; so have the other boys who're friends of Farncombe's. _They_ see he's hard hit. [_Enthusiastically._] Oh, they're good boys; they're good, loyal boys! There's not one of them who wouldn't throw up his hat if Nicko got the chuck. [_Suddenly._] Ma! MRS. UPJOHN. [_Startled._] Hey? ROPER. [_Dropping his voice._] This little spree to-night at the theatre-- Lil thinks it's to be merely among the members of the Company. MRS. UPJOHN. Ain't it? ROPER. [_Sitting beside her._] You keep quiet, now. No, it isn't. MRS. UPJOHN. 'Oo----? ROPER. The boys-- and Farncombe. MRS. UPJOHN. [_Disturbed._] Gracious! There'll be an awful fuss with the Captain to-morrer. ROPER. [_Snapping his fingers._] Pishhh! MRS. UPJOHN.