CAPT. G. No! For Goodness' sake, old man, don't do that! You'll see through, won't you? I've been mugging up that beastly drill, and can't remember a line of it. CAPT. M. (Overturning G.'s uniform.) Go and tub. Don't bother me. I'll give you ten minutes to dress in. (Interval, filled by the noise as of one splashing in the bath-room.) CAPT. G. (Emerging from dressing-room.) What time is it? CAPT. M. Nearly eleven. CAPT. G. Five hours more. O Lord! CAPT. M. (Aside.) 'First sign of funk, that. 'Wonder if it's going to spread. (Aloud.) Come along to breakfast. CAPT. G. I can't eat anything. I don't want any breakfast. CAPT. M. (Aside.) So early! (Aloud) CAPTAIN Gadsby, I order you to eat breakfast, and a dashed good breakfast, too. None of your bridal airs and graces with me! Leads G. downstairs and stands over him while he eats two chops. CAPT. G. (Who has looked at his watch thrice in the last five minutes.) What time is it? CAPT. M. Time to come for a walk. Light up. CAPT. G. I haven't smoked for ten days, and I won't now. (Takes cheroot which M. has cut for him, and blows smoke through his nose luxuriously.) We aren't going down the Mall, are we? CAPT. M. (Aside.) They're all alike in these stages. (Aloud.) No, my Vestal. We're going along the quietest road we can find. CAPT. G. Any chance of seeing Her? CAPT. M. Innocent! No! Come along, and, if you want me for the final obsequies, don't cut my eye out with your stick. CAPT. G. (Spinning round.) I say, isn't She the dearest creature that ever walked? What's the time? What comes after “wilt thou take this woman”? CAPT. M. You go for the ring. R'clect it'll be on the top of my right-hand little finger, and just be careful how you draw it off, because I shall have the Verger's fees somewhere in my glove. CAPT. G. (Walking forward hastily.) D---- the Verger! Come along! It's past twelve and I haven't seen Her since yesterday evening. (Spinning round again.) She's an absolute angel, Jack, and She's a dashed deal too good for me. Look here, does She come up the aisle on my arm, or how? CAPT. M. If I thought that there was the least chance of your remembering anything for two consecutive minutes, I'd tell you. Stop passaging about like that! CAPT. G. (Halting in the middle of the road.) I say, Jack. CAPT. M. Keep quiet for another ten minutes if you can, you lunatic; and walk! The two tramp at five miles an hour for fifteen minutes. CAPT. G. What's the time? How about the cursed wedding-cake and the slippers? They don't throw 'em about in church, do they? CAPT. M. In-variably. The Padre leads off with his boots. CAPT. G. Confound your silly soul! Don't make fun of me. I can't stand it, and I won't! CAPT. M. (Untroubled.) So-ooo, old horse You'll have to sleep for a couple of hours this afternoon. CAPT. G. (Spinning round.) I'm not going to be treated like a dashed child. Understand that!