Studdenham.  Hangin’ partridges, Sir William.  Will you have him in?

Sir William. [Hesitating] Yes—­yes.  I’ll see him.

Studdenham.  Good-night to you, my lady.

Lady Cheshire.  Freda’s not looking well, Studdenham.

Studdenham.  She’s a bit pernickitty with her food, that’s where it is.

Lady Cheshire.  I must try and make her eat.

Sir William.  Oh!  Studdenham.  We’ll shoot the home covert first. 
What did we get last year?

Studdenham. [Producing the game-book; but without reference to it] Two hundred and fifty-three pheasants, eleven hares, fifty-two rabbits, three woodcock, sundry.

Sir William.  Sundry?  Didn’t include a fox did it? [Gravely] I was seriously upset this morning at Warnham’s spinney——­

SUDDENHAM. [Very gravely] You don’t say, Sir William; that four-year-old he du look a handful!

Sir William. [With a sharp look] You know well enough what I mean.

Studdenham. [Unmoved] Shall I send young Dunning, Sir William?

     Sir William gives a short, sharp nod, and Studdenham retires by
     the door under the stairs.

Sir William.  Old fox!

Lady Cheshire.  Don’t be too hard on Dunning.  He’s very young.

Sir William. [Patting her arm] My dear, you don’t understand young fellows, how should you?

Lady Cheshire. [With her faint irony] A husband and two sons not counting. [Then as the door under the stairs is opened] Bill, now do——­

Sir William.  I’ll be gentle with him. [Sharply] Come in!

Lady Cheshire retires to the billiard-room.  She gives a look back and a half smile at young Dunning, a fair young man dressed in broom cords and leggings, and holding his cap in his hand; then goes out.

Sir William.  Evenin’, Dunning.

Dunning. [Twisting his cap] Evenin’, Sir William.

Sir William.  Studdenham’s told you what I want to see you about?

Dunning.  Yes, Sir.

Sir William.  The thing’s in your hands.  Take it or leave it.  I don’t put pressure on you.  I simply won’t have this sort of thing on my estate.

Dunning.  I’d like to say, Sir William, that she [He stops].

Sir William.  Yes, I daresay-Six of one and half a dozen of the other.  Can’t go into that.

Dunning.  No, Sir William.

Sir William.  I’m quite mild with you.  This is your first place.  If you leave here you’ll get no character.

Dunning.  I never meant any harm, sir.