_Young_ Paulover. They were married really three weeks ago, but without any breakfast--I don't mean a bacon breakfast, I mean a proper breakfast. But we girls think they ought to have a wedding-cake and everything complete to start them in life together: and that's why you're giving this party, you know. QUECKETT. Now, understand me, I will not be dragged into such a conspiracy! PEGGY. But you're in it. QUECKETT. The Ranklings are acquaintances of mine, almost relatives; Admiral Rankling's cousin married the sister of the man who bought my brother's horses. [_Rubbing his hands together._] I wash my hands of all you vexing girls. PEGGY. Don't fret about it, please. Nothing can ever make Mrs. Paulover Miss Rankling again. I'll go and dress while you finish your letter. QUECKETT. [_Impatiently._] Oh! [He resumes writing at the table.] PEGGY. [_Going to the door._] The girls will be here directly. Be nice, won't you? [_She goes out. Jane enters with tarts and confectionery on dishes which she places on the table before Queckett._] JANE. S'cuse me, sir. [_Queckett rises with his letter and the inkstand, and goes impatiently over to the other side of the room, where he continues writing on the top of piano._] QUECKETT. They won't let me write to the Insurance Office. [_Tyler enters with some boxes of bon-bons. The writing table being crowded Jane waves him over to the piano and goes out. Tyler puts the bon-bons on the top of the piano before Queckett, who snatches up his letter and the inkstand again and goes to the centre table._] QUECKETT. I will write to the Insurance Office. [_Tyler goes out as Jane re-enters._] JANE. [_Presenting a bill._] The pastrycook's bill, sir. QUECKETT. Great Scot! [_Diving his hand into his pocket, bringing out some loose money and giving it to Jane._] There! [_Jane goes out._] I've written to the Insurance Office. [_Sealing the letter._] My mind's easy--done my duty to poor Caroline. [_He puts the letter in his breast pocket as Tyler enters._] TYLER. [_More astonished than ever, announcing._] Miss Gwendoline Hawkins. [_Gwendoline enters, dressed in a simple and pretty party-dress. Tyler goes out._] GWENDOLINE. [_Bashfully, seeing nobody but Queckett._] Oh, I'm first; I shall come back again. [_She is going._] QUECKETT. Come in--come in. How d'ye do. [_Gwendoline advances. Queckett shakes hands with her._] Delighted to see you--so glad you've come--won't you sit down? [_To himself with satisfaction._] Illustrations of Deportment and the Restrictions of Society--Vere Queckett. Carrie would be delighted. [_Tyler re-enters, still more astonished._] TYLER. Miss Hermyntrude Johnson, and--and--and Mrs. Reginald Paulover! QUECKETT. This is a little too vexing! [_Ermyntrude and Dinah enter, both prettily dressed--Dinah in white. Tyler goes out. Angrily._] How d'ye do--so glad you've come--won't you sit down? DINAH We're very well, thank you. ERMYNTRUDE.