MRS. CULVER. Come here. Let me see it. (_She inspects the envelope of the letter and returns it to_ John.) Yes, that's right. Now listen to me. Get a taxi at once and drive to Lord Woking's, and insist on seeing Lord Woking, and give him that letter with your own hand. Do you understand? (_Exit_ Hildegarde, _L_.) The stamp will be wasted, but never mind. Fly! JOHN. It's a damned shame. (Mrs. Culver _smiles calmly_.) CULVER (_shaking_ John's _flaccid hand_). So it is. But let us remember, my boy, that you and I are--are doing our bit. (_Pushes him violently towards the door_.) Get along. (_Exit_ John, _back_.) TRANTO (_looking round_). Where's Hildegarde? MRS. CULVER. She went in there. TRANTO. I must just speak to her. (_Exit_ Tranto, _L_.) MRS. CULVER (_with a gesture towards the door, L_). There's something between those two. CULVER. I doubt it. (_With a sigh_.) MRS. CULVER. What do you mean--you doubt it? CULVER. They're probably too close together for there to be anything between them. MRS. CULVER (_shakes her head, smiling sceptically_). The new generation has no romance. (_In a new tone_.) Arthur, kiss me. CULVER. I'm dashed if I do! MRS. CULVER. Then I'll kiss you! (_She gives him a long kiss_.) (_The lunch gong sounds during the embrace. Startled, they separate_.) CULVER. Food! MRS. CULVER (_with admiring enthusiasm_). You've behaved splendidly. CULVER. Yes, that's what you always say when you've won and I--haven't. (_She kisses him again_.) _Enter the_ Parlourmaid, _back_. PARLOURMAID. Miss Starkey is still waiting, sir. CULVER. Inexorable creature! I won't--I will not--(_suddenly remembering that he has nothing to fear from_ Miss Starkey; _gaily_). Yes, I'll see her. She must lunch with us. May she lunch with us, Hermione? MRS. CULVER (_submissively_). Why, Arthur, _of course!_ (_To_ Parlourmaid.) Miss Starkey can have Master John's place. Some lunch must be kept warm for Master John. (_As the_ Parlourmaid _is leaving_.) One moment--bring up some champagne, please. PARLOURMAID. Yes, Madam. (_Exit_ Parlourmaid.) CULVER. Come along, I'm hungry. (_Leading her towards the door. Then stopping_.) I say.... Oh well, never mind. MRS. CULVER. But what? CULVER. You're a staggering woman, that's all. (_Exit_ Culver _and_ Mrs. Culver, _back_.) _Enter_ Hildegarde _and_ Tranto. HILDEGARDE (_plaintively, as they enter_). I told you my nerves were all upset, and yet you ran off before I--before I--and now it's lunch time! TRANTO (_facing her suddenly_). Hilda! I now give you my defence. (_He kisses her_.) _Enter_ Culver, _back, in time to interrupt the embrace_. CULVER. Excuse me. My wife sent me to ask if you'd lunch, Tranto. I gather that you _will_. CURTAIN. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Title, by Arnold Bennett