MAGGIE [gloriously]. Mon cher Jean, laissez-moi parler le francais, voulez-vous un interprete? JOHN. Hullo! MAGGIE. Je suis la soeur francaise de mes deux freres ecossais. DAVID [worshipping her]. She’s been learning French. JOHN [lightly]. Well done. MAGGIE [grandly]. They’re arriving. ALICK. Who? MAGGIE. Our guests. This is London, and Mrs. John Shand is giving her first reception. [Airily] Have I told you, darling, who are coming to-night? There’s that dear Sir Peregrine. [To ALICK] Sir Peregrine, this is a pleasure. Avez-vous...So sorry we beat you at the poll. JOHN. I’m doubting the baronet would sit on you, Maggie. MAGGIE. I’ve invited a lord to sit on the baronet. Voila! DAVID [delighted]. You thing! You’ll find the lords expensive. MAGGIE. Just a little cheap lord. [JAMES enters importantly.] My dear Lord Cheap, this is kind of you. [JAMES hopes that MAGGIE’s reason is not unbalanced.] DAVID [who really ought to have had education]. How de doo, Cheap? JAMES [bewildered]. Maggie--- MAGGIE. Yes, do call me Maggie. ALICK [grinning]. She’s practising her first party, James. The swells are at the door. JAMES [heavily]. That’s what I came to say. They are at the door. JOHN. Who? JAMES. The swells; in their motor. [He gives JOHN three cards.] JOHN. ‘Mr. Tenterden.’ DAVID. Him that was speaking for you? JOHN. The same. He’s a whip and an Honourable. ‘Lady Sybil Tenterden.’ [Frowns.] Her! She’s his sister. MAGGIE. A married woman? JOHN. No. ‘The Comtesse de la Briere.’ MAGGIE [the scholar]. She must be French. JOHN. Yes; I think she’s some relation. She’s a widow. JAMES. But what am I to say to them? [‘Mr. Shand’s compliments, and he will be proud to receive them’ is the very least that the Wylies expect.] JOHN [who was evidently made for great ends]. Say I’m very busy, but if they care to wait I hope presently to give them a few minutes. JAMES [thunderstruck]. Good God, Mr. Shand! [But it makes him JOHN’S more humble servant than ever, and he departs with the message.] JOHN [not unaware of the sensation he has created]. I’ll go up and let the crowd see me from the window. MAGGIE. But--but--what are we to do with these ladies? JOHN [as he tramps upwards]. It’s your reception, Maggie; this will prove you. MAGGIE [growing smaller]. Tell me what you know about this Lady Sybil? JOHN. The only thing I know about her is that she thinks me vulgar. MAGGIE. You? JOHN. She has attended some of my meetings, and I’m told she said that. MAGGIE. What could the woman mean? JOHN. I wonder. When I come down I’ll ask her. [With his departure MAGGIE’S nervousness increases.] ALICK [encouragingly]. In at them, Maggie, with your French. MAGGIE. It’s all slipping from me, father. DAVID [gloomily]. I’m sure to say ‘for to come for to go.’