FANNY [_she is busy at the tea-table_]. Yes. They are on the stage at
half past nine. You might look out their train for them. [_She points
to the Bradshaw on the desk_.] I don’t suppose they’ve ever thought
about how they’re going to get back. It’s Judy’s inspiration, this, the
whole thing; I’d bet upon it. [_With a laugh_.] She always was as mad
as a March hare.
DR. FREEMANTLE [_busy with the Bradshaw_]. They were nice-looking girls.
FANNY. Yes. I think we did the old man credit. [_With a laugh_.] John
Bull’s daughters, they called us in Paris.
_Bennet appears in doorway_.
BENNET [_announces_]. “Our Empire.”
_Headed by_ “_England_,” _the twelve girls_, _laughing_, _crowding_,
_jostling one another_, _talking all together_, _swoop in_.
ENGLAND [_a lady with a decided Cockney accent_]. Oh, my dear, talk
about an afternoon! We ’ave ’ad a treat getting ’ere.
_Fanny kisses her_.
SCOTLAND [_they also kiss_]. Your boss told us you’d gone out.
FANNY. It was a slight—misunderstanding. Bennet, take away these
things, please. And let me have half a dozen bottles of champagne.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS [_a small girl at the back of the crowd—with a shrill
voice_]. Hooray!
BENNET [_he is controlling himself with the supremest difficulty_.
_Within he is a furnace_]. I’m afraid I have mislaid the key of the
cellar.
FANNY [_she looks at him_]. You will please find it—quickly. [_Bennet_,
_again from habit_, _yields_. _But his control almost fails him_. _He
takes up the tray of unneeded tea-things from the table_.] I shall want
some more of all these [_cakes_, _fruit_, _sandwiches_, _etc._]. And
some people to wait. Tell Jane she must come and help.
_Bennet goes out_. _During this passage of arms between mistress and man
a momentary lull has taken place in the hubbub_. _As he goes out_, _it
begins to grow again_.
ENGLAND. ’E does tease yer, don’t ’e? Wanted us to ’ave tea in the
kitchen.