AFRICA [_she prides herself on being_ “_quite the lady_”]. Don’t talk
about ’em, dear. We had just such another. [_She turns to a girl near
her_.] Oh, they’ll run the whole show for you if you let ’em.
ENGLAND. It was Judy’s idea, our giving you this little treat. Don’t
you blime me for it.
WALES [_a small_, _sprightly girl with a childish_, _laughing voice_].
Well, we were all together with nothing better to do. They’d called a
rehearsal and then found they didn’t want us—silly fools. I told ’em
you’d just be tickled to death.
FANNY [_laughing—kisses her_]. So I am. It was a brilliant idea. [_By
this time she has kissed or shaken hands with the whole dozen_.] I can’t
introduce you all singly; it would take too long. [_She makes a
wholesale affair of it_.] My aunts, the Misses Wetherell—Dr. Freemantle.
_The Misses Wetherell_, _suggesting two mice being introduced to a party
of friendly kittens_, _standing_, _clinging to one another_, _murmur
something inaudible_.
DR. FREEMANTLE [_who is with them to comfort them—he has got rid of the
time-table_, _discreetly—smiles_]. Delighted.
ENGLAND. Charmed. [_The others join in_, _turning it into a chorus_.
_To Fanny_] Glad we didn’t strike one of your busy days. I say, you’re
not as dressy as you used to be. ’Ow are they doing you?—all right?
FANNY. Yes. Oh, yes.
CANADA [“_Gerty_,” _a big_, _handsome girl_, _with a loud_, _commanding
voice_]. George gave me your message.
FANNY [_puzzled at first_]. My message? [_Remembering—laughs_.] Oh.
That I was Lady Bantock of Bantock Hall. Yes. I thought you’d be
pleased.
CANADA. Was delighted, dear.
FANNY. So glad.
CANADA. I’d always had the idea that you were going to make a mess of
your marriage.
FANNY. What a funny idea! [_But the laugh that accompanies it is not a
merry one_.]
CANADA. Wasn’t it? So glad I was wrong.
WALES. We’re all of us looking out for lords in disguise, now. Can’t
you give us a tip, dear, how to tell ’em?
SCOTLAND. Sukey has broken it off with her boy. Found he was mixed up
in trade.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS [_as before_, _unseen at back of crowd_]. No. I
didn’t. ’Twas his moral character.
_Then enter Honoria with glasses on a tray_; _Ernest with champagne_;
_Jane with eatables_; _Bennet with a napkin_. _It is a grim procession_.
_The girls are scattered_, _laughing_, _talking_: _Africa to the Misses
Wetherell_; _a couple to Dr. Freemantle_. _England_, _Scotland_,
_Wales_, _and Canada are with Fanny_. _The hubbub_, _with the advent of
the refreshments_, _increases_. _There is a general movement towards the
refreshments_.
FANNY. Thanks, Bennet. You can clear away a corner of the desk.
ENGLAND [_aside to her_]. Go easy with it, dear. [_Fanny_, _smiling_,
_nods_. _She directs operations in a low tone to the Bennets_, _who take
her orders in grim silence and with lips tight shut_.] Don’t forget,
girls, that we’ve got to get back to-night. [_Aside to the Doctor_, _who
has come forward to help_.] Some of ’em, you know, ain’t used to it.
DR. FREEMANTLE [_nods_]. Glasses not _too_ full. [_He whispers to
Fanny_.]
IRELAND [_a decided young woman_]. How much time have we got?
ENGLAND. Don’t ask me. It’s Judy’s show.
WALES [_mimicking Newte_]. The return train, ladies, leaves Oakham
station. [_Stops—she is facing the clock_. _She begins to laugh_.]
ENGLAND. What’s the matter?
WALES [_still laughing_]. We’ve got just quarter of an hour to catch it.
_There is a wild rush for the refreshments_. _Jane is swept off her
feet_. _Bennet’s tray is upset_.
ENGLAND. Quarter—! Oh, my Gawd! Here, tuck up your skirts, girls.
We’ll have to—
DR. FREEMANTLE. It’s all right. You’ve got plenty of time, ladies.
There’s a train from Norton on the branch line at 5.33. Gets you into
London at a quarter to nine.
ENGLAND. You’re _sure_?
DR. FREEMANTLE [_he has his watch in his hand_]. Quite sure. The
station is only half a mile away.
ENGLAND. Don’t let’s miss it. Keep your watch in your ’and, there’s a
dear.
FANNY [_her business is—and has been—to move quietly through the throng_,
_making the girls welcome_, _talking_, _laughing with them_, _directing
the servants—all in a lady’s way_. _On the whole she does it remarkably
well_. _She is offering a plate of fruit to Judy_]. You’re a nice
acting manager, you are. [_Judy laughs_. _Fanny finds herself in front
of Ireland_. _She turns to England_.] Won’t you introduce us?
ENGLAND. I beg your pardon, dear. Of course, you don’t know each other.
Miss Tetsworth, our new Ireland, Lady Bantock. It is “Bantock,” isn’t
it, dear?
FANNY. Quite right. It’s a good little part, isn’t it?
IRELAND. Well, depends upon what you’ve been used to.
ENGLAND. She’s got talent, as I tell ’er. But she ain’t you, dear.
It’s no good saying she is.
FANNY [_hastening to smooth it over_]. People always speak so well of us
after we’re gone. [_Laughs_.] You’ll take another glass of champagne.
IRELAND. Thank you—you made a great success, they tell me, in the part.
FANNY. Oh, there’s a deal of fluke about these things. You see, I had
the advantage—