TYLER. The cab's a-waitin', ma'am. [_Miss Dyott takes Queckett's arm._] THE GIRLS. Good-bye, Miss Dyott. [_Miss Dyott and Queckett go out through the hall. Peggy, Ermyntrude, and Gwendoline run over to the windows and look out. Dinah sits apart, thinking._] ERMYNTRUDE. There they are! GWENDOLINE. Miss Dyott's in the cab! PEGGY. She's off. THE THREE. Hurrah! Hurrah! [_Queckett returns, the Girls surround him demonstratively._] PEGGY. Dinah--young ladies--[_pointing to Queckett_]--Uncle Vere! ERMYNTRUDE AND GWENDOLINE. [_Together._] Uncle Vere! Uncle Vere! [_Queckett tries to maintain his dignity, and pushes the girls from him. Tyler, with Jane, is seen letting off a squib in the hall._] END OF THE FIRST ACT. THE SECOND ACT _The scene is a plain-looking schoolroom t Miss Dyott's. Outside the two windows runs a narrow balcony, and beyond are seen the upper stories and roofs of the opposite houses. There are two doors facing each other. The room is decorated for the occasion with holly and evergreen, and a table is laid with supper. Peggy is standing on a chair, with a large hammer in her hand, nailing up holly._ PEGGY. [_Surveying her work._] There! I'm sure Miss Dyott wouldn't recognise the dull old class-rooms. [_Descending._] I think it's time I dressed. [_Queckett enters slowly; he is in a perfectly fitting evening dress, with a flower in his button-hole, but looks much depressed. He and Peggy regard each other for a moment silently._] Oh, I'm so glad you're ready early! How good it makes one feel, giving pleasure to others--doesn't it? Aren't you well? QUECKETT. Yes--no. I deeply regret plunging into the vortex of these festivities. PEGGY. Oh, I suppose you're nervous in society. QUECKETT. [_Drawing himself up!_] Nervous in society, Miss Hesslerigge? PEGGY. What do you think of the decorations? Artistic, aren't they? QUECKETT. A treat at a Sunday School! PEGGY. Then you shouldn't have locked up the rooms downstairs. QUECKETT. I daren't allow the neighbours to see the house lighted up downstairs. I wish I could have locked up all you vexing girls. PEGGY. That's not the spirit to give a party in! [_Contemplating the table._] How many do you think your friend, Mr. Mallory, will bring? QUECKETT. I don't think Mr. Mallory will find his way here at all. Have you observed the fog? PEGGY. Is it foggy? QUECKETT. You can't see your hand before you outside. I sincerely hope my friend will _not_ come. PEGGY. There's hospitality! Ours will. QUECKETT. Who _is_ your friend? PEGGY. Mr. Paulover. QUECKETT. And who the devil is-- PEGGY. I don't think that's the language for a party, Mr. Queckett! QUECKETT. I beg your pardon. Who _is_ Paulover? [_Tyler enters with a bill in-his hand, with his hair stiffly brushed and greased, and wearing an expression of intense wonderment._] What's this? TYLER. A beautiful large lobster salid is come, sir. QUECKETT.