Colonel. [Hotly.] Certainly not, in this case!

Miss beech. [From behind the hollow tree.] Special case!

Ernest. [Moving chin in collar—­very coolly.] Well, of course if you won’t play the game!

Colonel. [In a towering passion.] If you lose your temper like this, I ’ll never play with you again.

     [To Letty, a pretty soul in a linen suit, approaching through
     the wall.]

Do you mean to say that ball was out, Letty?

Letty.  Of course it was, Father.

Colonel.  You say that because he’s your husband. [He sits on the rustic seat.] If your mother’d been there she’d have backed me up!

Letty.  Mother wants Joy, Dick, about her frock.

Dick.  I—­I don’t know where she is.

Miss beech. [From behind the hollow tree.] Ahem!

Letty.  What’s the matter, Peachey?

Miss beech.  Swallowed a fly.  Poor creature!

Ernest. [Returning to his point.] Why I know the ball was out,
Colonel, was because it pitched in a line with that arbutus tree.

Colonel. [Rising.] Arbutus tree! [To his daughter.] Where’s your mother?

Letty.  In the blue room, Father.

Ernest. The ball was a good foot out; at the height it was coming when it passed me.

Colonel. [Staring at him.] You’re a—­you’re aa theorist!  From where you were you could n’t see the ball at all. [To Letty.] Where’s your mother?

Letty. [Emphatically.] In the blue room, Father!

     [The Colonel glares confusedly, and goes away towards the blue
     room.]

Ernest. [In the swing, and with a smile.] Your old Dad’ll never be a sportsman!

Letty. [Indignantly.] I wish you wouldn’t call Father old, Ernie!  What time’s Molly coming, Peachey?

     [Rose has come from the house, and stands waiting for a chance
     to speak.]

Ernest. [Breaking in.] Your old Dad’s only got one fault:  he can’t take an impersonal view of things.

Miss beech.  Can you find me any one who can?

Ernest. [With a smile.] Well, Peachey!

Miss beech. [Ironically.] Oh! of course, there’s you!

Ernest. I don’t know about that!  But——­

Rose. [To Letty,] Please, Miss, the Missis says will you and Mr.
Ernest please to move your things into Miss Peachey’s room.

Ernest. [Vexed.] Deuce of a nuisance havin’ to turn out for this fellow Lever.  What did Molly want to bring him for?

Miss beech.  Course you’ve no personal feeling in the matter!

Rose. [Speaking to Miss beech.] The Missis says you’re to please move your things into the blue room, please Miss.