RANKLING. I will not sit down without adding a word of congratulation to Mr.--Mr. -- PEGGY. Parkinson. RANKLING. Thank you, I know--Parkinson--the young gentleman whose ingenious construction and seagoing qualities-- MALLORY. No--no. RANKLING. Er--um--whose amiability and genial demeanour have so favourably impressed us. As an old married man I welcome this recruit to the service. PEGGY. Hear, hear. RANKLING. It is one of hardship and danger--of stiff breezes and dismal night watches. But it is because Englishmen never know when they are beaten-- MALLORY. No, no. RANKLING. Yes, sir--it is because Englishmen never know when they are beaten that they occasionally find conjugal happiness. I ask you all to drink to the Navy--to Mr. and Mrs.--thank you, I know--Jenkinson. [_All except Dinah and Reginald rise and drink the toast "Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson," then as they resume their seats, Reginald rises sulkily._] REGINALD. Admiral Rankling. [_Jane appears at the door, wildly beckoning to Queckett._] JANE. [_In a whisper._] Sir--Sir--! QUECKETT. [_Angrily._] Not now--not now--go away. THE GIRLS. Hush! [_The Girls motion Jane away; she retires._] QUECKETT. [_To Reginald._] I beg pardon. REGINALD. All I have to say is that the highest estimation Admiral Rankling can form of me will not do justice to my devotion to my wife. PEGGY. [_Sotto voce._] Oh, beautiful! REGINALD. [_Fiercely._] And I should like to know the individual, old or young, who would take my wife from me! MALLORY. [_To himself _] Many a husband would like to know that person. REGINALD. In conclusion--as for Admiral Rankling's offer of a paternal friendship, I trust he will remember that offer if ever we should have occasion to remind him of it. [_Looking at his watch._] And now I regret to say--[_ The girls rise, the men follow. _] PEGGY. No, no--not before we have danced one quadrille. GWENDOLINE AND ERMYNTRUDE. Oh, yes--oh, yes! A quadrille! PEGGY. Uncle Vere will play for us. QUECKETT. No, Uncle Vere will not! MALLORY. Oh, yes, you will, Queckett, old fellow, eh? QUECKETT. Well--I--with pleasure, Jack. [_To himself!_] How dare they! PEGGY. Clear the floor! [_Saunders and Mallory, assisted by Ermyntrude and Gwendoline, put back the table and chairs._] RANKLING. [_Getting very good humoured._] Upon my soul, I never saw such girls in my life! I wonder whether my Dinah is anything like 'em! [_Dinah and Reginald are having a violent altercation._] DINAH. A wife shouldn't dance with her husband--it is horrible form! REGINALD. I can't see you led out by a stranger. DINAH. It is merely a quadrille. REGINALD. Merely a quadrille! Woman, do you think I am marble? DINAH. [_Distractedly, turning to Rankling._] Admiral Rankling, are you going to dance? RANKLING. [_Gallantly._] If you do me the honour, my dear Madam. [_She takes his arm._] REGINALD. [_Madly, to Dinah._] Ah, flirt! QUECKETT.