LORD JOHN. Is this when we quarrel? CARNABY. I think I'll challenge you. LORD JOHN. That will look well. CARNABY. You'll value that kiss when you've paid for it. Kindly choose Tatton as your second. I want his tongue to wag both ways. LORD JOHN. I was forgetting how it all began. CARNABY. George will serve me . . . protesting. His principles are vile, but he has the education of a gentleman. Swords or . . . ? Swords. And at noon shall we say? There's shade behind a certain barn, midway between this and Tatton's. LORD JOHN. [_Not taking him seriously yet._] What if we both die horridly? CARNABY. You are at liberty to make me a written apology. LORD JOHN. A joke's a joke. CARNABY _deliberately strikes him in the face with the twist of bass_. LORD JOHN. That's enough. CARNABY. [_In explanatory apology._] My friend, you are so obtuse. Abud! LORD JOHN. Mr. Leete, are you serious? CARNABY. Perfectly serious. Let's go to bed. Abud, you can get to your work. _Wig in hand_, MR. LEETE _courteously conducts his guest towards the house_. ABUD _returns to his tools and his morning's work_. THE SECOND ACT _Shortly after mid-day, while the sun beats strongly upon the terrace_, ABUD _is working dexterously at the rose trees_. DR. REMNANT _comes down the steps, hatted, and carrying a stick and a book. He is an elderly man with a kind manner; type of the eighteenth century casuistical parson. On his way he stops to say a word to the gardener._ DR. REMNANT. Will it rain before nightfall? ABUD. About then, sir, I should say. _Down the other steps comes_ MRS. OPIE, _a prim, decorous, but well bred and unobjectionable woman. She is followed by_ ANN. MRS. OPIE. A good morning to you, Parson. DR. REMNANT. And to you, Mrs. Opie, and to Miss Ann. ANN. Good morning, Dr. Remnant. [_To_ ABUD.] Have you been here ever since . . . ? ABUD. I've had dinner, Miss. ABUD'S _work takes him gradually out of sight_. MRS. OPIE. We are but just breakfasted. DR. REMNANT. I surmise dissipation. ANN. [_To_ MRS. OPIE.] Thank you for waiting five hours. MRS. OPIE. It is my rule to breakfast with you. DR. REMNANT. [_Exhibiting the book._] I am come to return, and to borrow. ANN. Show me. DR. REMNANT. Ballads by Robert Burns. ANN. [_Taking it._] I'll put it back. MRS. OPIE. [_Taking it from her._] I've never heard of him. DR. REMNANT. Oh, ma'am, a very vulgar poet! GEORGE LEETE _comes quickly down the steps_. GEORGE. [_To_ REMNANT.] How are you? DR. REMNANT. Yours, sir. GEORGE. Ann. ANN. Good morning, George. GEORGE. Did you sleep well? ANN. I always do . . . but I dreamt. GEORGE. I must sit down for a minute. [_Nodding._] Mrs. Opie. MRS. OPIE. I wish you a good morning, sir. GEORGE. [_To_ ANN.] Don't look so solemn. LADY COTTESHAM _comes quickly to the top of the steps_. SARAH. Is Papa badly hurt? ANN. [_Jumping up._] Oh, what has happened? GEORGE. Not badly. SARAH. He won't see me.