ANN. [_From the corner she has slunk to._] Here I am, Sally. MR. TATTON. Miss Ann, I forgive you. I'm smiling, I assure you, I'm smiling. SARAH. We all laughed when we heard you. MR. TATTON. Which reminds me, young George Leete, had you the ace? GEORGE. King . . . knave . . . here are the cards, but I can't see. MR. TATTON. I had the king. ANN. [_Quietly to her sister._] He kissed me. SARAH. A man would. GEORGE. What were trumps? MR. TATTON. What were we playing . . . cricket? ANN. [_As quietly again._] D'you think I'm blushing? SARAH. It's probable. ANN. I am by the feel of me. SARAH. George, we left Papa sitting quite still. LORD JOHN. Didn't he approve of the bet? MR. TATTON. He said nothing. SARAH. Why, who doesn't love sport! MR. TATTON. I'm the man to grumble. Back a woman's pluck again . . . never. My lord . . . you weren't the one to go with her as umpire. GEORGE. No. . . to be sure. MR. TATTON. How was it I let that pass? Playing two games at once. Haven't I cause of complaint? But a man must give and take. _The master of the house, father of_ GEORGE _and_ SARAH COTTESHAM _and_ ANN, MR. CARNABY LEETE, _comes slowly down the steps, unnoticed by the others. A man over fifty--à la Lord Chesterfield_. GEORGE. [_To_ LORD JOHN.] Are you sure you're quite comfortable there? LORD JOHN. Whatever I'm sitting on hasn't given way yet. MR. TATTON. Don't forget that you're riding to Brighton with me. LORD JOHN. Tomorrow. GEORGE. To-day. Well . . . the hour before sunrise is no time at all. MR. TATTON. Sixty-five miles. LORD JOHN. What are we all sitting here for? MR. TATTON. I say people ought to be in bed and asleep. CARNABY. But the morning air is delightful. MR. TATTON. [_Jumping at the new voice._] Leete! Now, had you the ace? CARNABY. Of course. MR. TATTON. We should have lost that too, Lady Charlie. SARAH. Bear up, Mr. Tat. MR. TATTON. Come, a game of whist is a game of whist. CARNABY. And so I strolled out after you all. MR. TATTON. She trod on a toad. CARNABY. [_Carelessly._] Does she say so? MR. TATTON. [_With mock roguishness._] Ah! GEORGE _is on the terrace, looking to the left through the trees_. TATTON _is sitting on the edge of the fountain_. GEORGE. Here's the sun . . . to show us ourselves. MR. TATTON. Leete, this pond is full of water! CARNABY. Ann, if you are there . . . ANN. Yes, Papa. CARNABY. Apologise profusely; it's your garden. ANN. Oh . . . CARNABY. Coat-tails, Tatton . . . or worse? MR. TATTON. [_Ruefully discovering damp spots about him._] Nothing vastly to matter. LORD JOHN. Hardy, well-preserved, country gentleman! MR. TATTON. I bet I'm a younger man than you, my lord. ANN. [_Suddenly to the company generally._] I didn't tread upon any toad . . . I was kissed. _There is a pause of some discomfort._ SARAH. Ann, come here to me. LORD JOHN. I apologised. GEORGE. [_From the terrace._] Are we to be insulted? CARNABY. My dear Carp, say no more.