[_Laughing, to Saunders._] I say, you shouldn't have left the old gentleman. SAUNDERS. [_Laughing._] He sent me up to count how many more stairs there were. QUECKETT. [_Impatiently._] Jack, I don't put the question on theological grounds, but who is the old gentleman? MALLORY. Oh, I beg your pardon--and his. We persuaded an old acquaintance of yours to join us--Admiral Rankling. QUECKETT. [_Aghast._] What! MALLORY. Do you mind? QUECKETT. Mind! RANKLING. [_Outside.'_] Mr. Saunders! SAUNDERS. Here, sir. [_Peggy makes a bolt out of the room. Saunders goes to the door, and returns with Rankling. Rankling is in evening dress, overcoat, and muffler, and is much out if breath._] RANKLING. Ah, Mr. Queckett, how do you do? We haven't met anywhere lately; I've been away, you know. QUECKETT. I am delighted to renew our acquaintance, Admiral Rankling. RANKLING. [_Puffing._] Mr. Mallory suggested that we should smoke our last cigar at your lodgings. I can't stay, for I've a long distance to drive home. At least, I suppose I have, for I really don't know quite where we are. What quarter of London have you brought me to, Mr. Mallory? Oh, thank ye! [_He turns to Saunders, who is offering to remove his overcoat. The door is slightly opened, and the heads of all the girls are seen. _] QUECKETT. [_Hastily to Mallory._] He doesn't know where he is! MALLORY. The fog's as thick as a board outside. QUECKETT. He isn't aware he lives a hundred and fifty yards off! MALLORY. No--does he? QUECKETT. Hush, don't tell him! Jack, don't tell him! I'll explain why by-and-by. [_Queckett turns to assist Saunders who, mounted on a chair, is struggling ineffectually to relieve Rankling of his overcoat._] RANKLING. Thank ye--bits o' boys, bits o' boys. MALLORY. [_To himself._] There's a wild look about poor Queckett I don't like. It's his lonely bachelor life, I suppose. Curious place too--he used to be such a swell in the Albany. [_Looking about him. The door shuts and the heads disappear._] RANKLING. [_To Queckett._] Thank ye--thank ye. [_Panting._] Ouf! [_Rankling sits down, and Mallory talks to him. Saunders has seated himself on the sofa and is dozing off, quite tired out. _] QUECKETT. Oh, what a party! [_ The door opens, and Peggy's head appears._] PEGGY. [_Hurriedly to Queckett._] Who'd have thought of this? QUECKETT. It might be worse--he doesn't recognise the house he is in. PEGGY. Doesn't he? QUECKETT. Get rid of his daughter and that horrid Paulover. PEGGY. Certainly not; I know he won't recognise his daughter. QUECKETT. Won't recognise his own dau--you'll drive me mad! [_They continue to talk in undertones. Saunders is now fast asleep._] RANKLING. [_To Mallory._] No--I don't like the look of poor Queckett. MALLORY. He seems altered. RANKLING. Altered--he glares like the devil. He's not married, is he? MALLORY. No. RANKLING.