Piff. (_Smiling._) Well, I’m afraid he would be a little up a tree, sir, if I may be permitted a vulgarism. (_Moving to door l._) I will go and acquaint him with your arrival, sir. (_Takes plate from table l., puts pipe on it._) I’ll send him to you directly, sir. (_Smells pipe._) Shag! (_Exit l.l._) Dex. Thank you, Mr. Piffin, thank you. (_Turning round._) Always be affable with your inferiors--never know when you may want ‘em. Clara. (_By window, looking out._) Do you come across many of that sort? (_Comes down r. of table R._) Dex. Ah, you beast--you vixen. I wonder you don’t cut yourself with that tongue of yours. Clara. (_Turning round with a hard laugh. At fireplace R._) It must be pretty sharp if it goes through your skin. Dex. Ah, you damned-- (_Enter Allen l. He has on slippers and a smoking coat_). Allen. (_Crossing._) Don’t ’ee look at us too closely. I bean’t properly dressed yet. Clara. (_r.c. turns head away._) I don’t think we had better look at you at all under those circumstances, Mr. Rollitt. (_Laughs._) Allen. (_Laughs._) Oh, I be covered up all right everywhere. I merely meant as I wasn’t up to fashion plate standard. (_Crossing c._) And how be Colonel Dexter? (_Shaking hands._) Dex. (_l._) Jolly, my boy--and how’s yourself? Allen, (_c._) Oh, I be spry enough. (_Crossing before him and shaking hands with Clara, and keeping her hand._) I think us’ll have a pleasant day. Clara, (_r. looking tenderly at him._) I’m sure we shall. (_Crosses to sofa, stands at head of it._) Dex. Well, you young folks will, I know, and the old folks will be happy looking on. (_Sitting, and taking Clara’s hand in his and fondling it. Allen crosses r._) To see his little girl happy, that’s always happiness enough for old Jack Dexter. Clara. (_Leaning over and kissing the top of his hand._) Silly old dad. Dex. (_Taking out his handkerchief and pretending to weep._) Ah, like her mother--like her mother. Allen, (_r. c., laughs nervously._) Her--her mother must ha’ been rare beautiful, mustn’t her? Dex. (_c. rising and taking Allen by the hand._) Thank you,--ah, Mr. Rollitt, you have never known the blessing of a wife--(_Clara looks at him_)--you do not understand the feelings of a widower. (_Weeping._) Allen. No--but--(_laughing_)--but--I hopes to one day; no--no--I don’t mean that--I--(_confused_)--Have thee had breakfast? (_Clara sits on the soft L._) Dex. Yes, thank you, Allen, my boy. Allen. (_Cheerfully._) Have another. Dex. No thanks, not to-day. Allen. What’s the matter? Off thee feed? Dex. No, my lad, but we old folks ain’t like you young country ones--nothing at present thank you--(_pauses_)--to eat.