Another man, I suppose--Dinah! PEGGY. Ladies, do explain everything to Mr. Paulover. [_Dinah seizes Reginald's arm. Gwendoline and Ermyntrude gather round them, Reginald protesting._] REGINALD. [_Handing his card as he passes Queckett._] My card, sir. QUECKETT. Pooh, sir! [_Throwing the card in the fire. The three girls hurry Reginald out of the room._] PEGGY. [_To Queckett._] I'm so sorry--he hasn't taken to you. QUECKETT. He needn't trouble himself! Upon my soul, this is going to be a nice party! TYLER. [_Tyler enters._] Three gentlemen, sir: I was to say the name of Mallory. QUECKETT. Three gentlemen! PEGGY. [_Delighted, to Queckett._] Oh, he's brought some good fellows! [_Reckoning on her fingers,_] That's one for Ermyntrude--and one for me--and one for-- QUECKETT. [_To Peggy._] Be quiet. [_To Tyler._] I'll come down. MALLORY. [_Outside._] Queckett! QUECKETT. Yes, Jack! [_Jack Mallory enters. He is a good-looking, jovial fellow of about thirty-six, with a bronzed face. He is in evening dress and overcoat. Tyler goes out._] MALLORY. [_Shaking hands heartily with Queckett._] Ah, Queckett--dear old chap--well, I am glad to see you. QUECKETT. How are you, Jack? MALLORY. Quaint diggings you have up here. The hanging committee have shied you, though, haven't they? [_Seeing Peggy._] I beg your pardon. QUECKETT. [_Confused._] Oh--ah--yes. I didn't mention it. I have my--my--nieces spending Christmas with me. MALLORY. [_Bowing to Peggy._] Delighted. [_To Queckett._] Did you say niece or nieces? QUECKETT. Nieces. [_Softly to Peggy, quickly._] How many? I forget. PEGGY. [_To Queckett._] Three. QUECKETT. Three. PEGGY. Three, not counting me. QUECKETT. Three, not counting me. I mean three, not counting that vexing girl--Peggy--Margaret. MALLORY. [_Bowing._] It would be impossible not to count Miss--Margaret. PEGGY. [_Simpering._] Oh! [_Queckett assists Mallory to take off his overcoat, first darting an angry look at Peggy._] PEGGY. [_To herself._] I shall give Gwendoline and Ermyntrude the two that are downstairs. QUECKETT. H'm! You're not alone, are you, Jack? Mallory. No--they're coming up. QUECKETT. [_ Grimly._] Are they? MALLORY. The old gentleman takes his time with the stairs. QUECKETT. [_ With forced ease._] Poor old gentleman! Who the deuce--! MALLORY. The fact is, there's been a big Navy dinner tonight at the Whitehall Rooms. The enthusiasm became rather forced--Britannia rules the waves, and all that sort of thing--so I gladly thought of finishing up with you. I've brought my nephew--hallo, here he is. [_Mr. Saunders enters. He is a pretty boy, almost a child, in the uniform of a naval cadet._] My nephew--Horatio Nelson Drake Saunders, of the Training Ship "Dexterous." SAUNDERS. [_ With the airs of a little man, but in a treble voice._] How do you do? Awfully pleased to come here. QUECKETT. Glad to see you, Mr. Saunders. MALLORY.