Yes, I was staying there when she arrived. I have been rusticating for the last six weeks. It's so much easier to write in the fresh air. SYLVESTER. You have been writing down at Mapledurham? GERALD. That's what I went for. COLONEL. For six weeks? GERALD. Six weeks. COLONEL. And you have only finished the first chapter? GERALD. It's so difficult to write in the fresh air. One wants to go out and enjoy oneself. And then old Armstrong's such a jolly old boy. SYLVESTER. Armstrong, of Mapledurham? The farmer? Oh, I know him well. I go there for the fishing. COLONEL. Then, do you know Margery? SYLVESTER. Margery? No. GERALD. How that girl sculls! COLONEL. Oh, Margery was rowing? GERALD. Do you know, uncle, she can almost beat me? COLONEL. But what an arm she has! GERALD. And when she feathers?---- [_Pantomime._ COLONEL. Ah! when she feathers?---- [_Double pantomime._ GERALD. What a voice, too! COLONEL. Hasn't she! GERALD. So musical! When she sings out, "Lock, ho!" COLONEL [_imitating_]. "Lock, ho!" GERALD. No, not a bit like that--more silvery! COLONEL. Not a bit! more silvery! BOTH [_pantomiming_]. "Lock, ho!" SYLVESTER. Who's Margery? COLONEL. Oh, my dear fellow, just your sort--_my_ sort--well, hang it, every man's sort! Margery is--oh, how can I explain? If I'd seen a Margery thirty years ago; well, I should never have been a bachelor! Margery is--come, Gerald, what _is_ Margery? Margery is a woman, who---- Well, Margery's a woman! That's all Margery is! GERALD. Old Armstrong's daughter. We grew up together. When I was very young, I was considered delicate, and I was sent to the farmhouse at Mapledurham. When I went to Eton, Lady Wargrave took Margery into her service. There she has remained---- COLONEL. And she is coming with your aunt to-day. [_Knock at door in flat. Re-enter WELLS, followed by MRS. SYLVESTER, with a small portfolio._ WELLS. Mrs. Sylvester! [_Exit, door in flat._ MRS. SYLVESTER [_stops short on seeing SYLVESTER._]. Jack! SYLVESTER. This is an unexpected pleasure. [_A cold matrimonial kiss._] Colonel Cazenove--my old Colonel. Mr. Cazenove I think you know. MRS. SYLVESTER. Well, of course, Jack! How ridiculous you are! Should I be here if I didn't know Mr. Cazenove? SYLVESTER. I haven't the least notion. I only know you wouldn't be at home. MRS. SYLVESTER. I was in all the morning. SYLVESTER. I had business at the Horse Guards. I shall be home to dinner, though. MRS. SYLVESTER. Oh dear, I wish I had known that. There's only mutton. SYLVESTER. The same mutton? MRS. SYLVESTER. What do you mean by same? SYLVESTER. I mean the mutton I had yesterday. MRS. SYLVESTER. Did you have mutton yesterday? SYLVESTER. No matter; I'll dine at the club. MRS. SYLVESTER. Thank you, dear. SYLVESTER. Good-bye. [_Kiss._] Good-bye, Mr. Cazenove. COLONEL. I will come with you. [_To GERALD._] I am due at your aunt's. GERALD. But I shall see you again presently?