She's beat 'er record this year, Lil 'as, out an' out. [_JEYES goes to the writing-table and ROPER and MRS. UPJOHN rise and wander away, the former to the conservatory, the latter to the settee by the piano._ JEYES. [_Scowling at the presents._] Very nice. [_Picking up a case of jewellery._] Ve-ry nice. [_Throwing the case down angrily._] Confound 'em, what the devil do they take her for! ROPER. [_At the entrance to the conservatory._] I may remark that one of those gifts is from _me_, Jeyes. JEYES. Oh, I'm not alluding to _you_. ROPER. [_Stiffly._] Much obliged. JEYES. [_Coming forward and addressing MRS. UPJOHN._] I've called in to ask Lily whether she'll come out to supper with me to-night, to Catani's, to celebrate her birthday. Luigi's decorating a table for me specially. Mr. and Mrs. Linthorne'll come, and Jack Wethered. [_To ROPER._] Are you free, Roper? [_MRS. UPJOHN sits uneasily on the settee by the piano and ROPER finds some object to interest him near the tea-table._] I suppose it's no good asking _you_, Mrs. Upjohn? MRS. UPJOHN. N-n-o, thank you, Captain, and I-- I'm afraid---- JEYES. Afraid----? MRS. UPJOHN. I'm afraid Lil can't manage it either. JEYES. Why not? MRS. UPJOHN. I-- I'm surprised she didn't mention it to you 'erself when you brought 'er 'ome last night. JEYES. Mention what? MRS. UPJOHN. They're givin' 'er a supper to-night at the theatre. JEYES. The theatre? ROPER. [_Advancing._] Yes, Carlton's standing a little spread in the foyer, in honour of the occasion. [_Sitting at the tea-table._] Quite right too; she's _his_ best asset, and chance it. JEYES. When was it fixed up? ROPER. Late last night. JEYES. The fact is, Lily and I had a slight tiff coming home last night. [_Sitting on the settee in front of the writing-table._] Ha! I suppose she kept it from me to pay me out. [_Sharply._] Who's invited? ROPER. Er-- only the principal members of the Company, I understand. MRS. UPJOHN. [_Moistening her lips with her tongue._] Yes, only the members of the Company, Lil says. ROPER. With Morrie Cooling and Vincent Bland thrown in. JEYES. [_Looking at ROPER._] _You_ seem to know a lot about it, Roper. ROPER. I was behind when Morrie was going round to the dressing-rooms. JEYES. [_To ROPER, suspiciously._] Are _you_ asked? ROPER. [_Taken aback._] E--eh? JEYES. Are _you_ asked? ROPER. [_With an attempt at airiness._] Oh, yes, they've dragged me into it. JEYES. Since when have _you_ been a member of the Company? ROPER. No, but-- dash it, I've done business for Carlton in the City for twenty years or more----! JEYES. That doesn't make you one. ROPER. And I'm an old friend of Lil's. JEYES. Not older than I. [_Violently._] Why the blazes doesn't Smythe invite _me_? ROPER. [_Extending his arms._] My dear Nicko, _I'm_ not giving the party. Really, you do jump down a man's throat----! JEYES.