The Rector. [Hitching at his trousers] No, indeed, lady Ella—­I——­

Lady Ella.  Tommy, do lend a hand!

The Squire.  All right, Ella; all right!  He doesn’t mean what you mean!

Lady Ella. [Transferring Edward to the Squire] Hold him, Tommy. 
He’s sure to smell out Hannibal!

The Squire. [Taking Edward by the collar, and holding his own nose] Jove!  Clever if he can smell anything but himself.  Phew!  She ought to have the Victoria Cross for goin’ in that pond.

     [The door opens, and herself appears; a fine, frank, handsome
     woman, in a man’s orange-coloured motor-coat, hastily thrown on
     over the substrata of costume.]

She.  So very sorry—­had to have a bath, and change, of course!

Lady Ella.  We’re so awfully grateful to you.  It was splendid.

Maud.  Quite.

The Rector. [Rather holding himself together] Heroic!  I was just myself about to——­

The Squire. [Restraining Edward] Little beast will fight—­must apologise—­you were too quick for me——­

     [He looks up at her.  She is smiling, and regarding the wounded
     dog, her head benevolently on one side.]

She.  Poor dears!  They thought they were so safe in that nice pond!

Lady Ella.  Is he very badly torn?

She.  Rather nasty.  There ought to be a stitch or two put in his ear.

Lady Ella.  I thought so.  Tommy, do——­

The Squire.  All right.  Am I to let him go?

Lady Ella.  No.

Maud.  The fly’s outside.  Bertie, run and tell Jarvis to drive in for the Vet.

The Rector. [Gentle and embarrassed] Run?  Well, Maud—­I——­

She.  The doctor would sew it up.  My maid can go round.

     [Hannibal. appears at the open casement with the broken braces
     dangling from his collar.]

Lady Ella.  Look!  Catch him!  Rector!

Maud.  Bertie!  Catch him!

[The Rector seizes Hannibal, but is seen to be in difficulties with his garments.  Herself, who has gone out left, returns, with a leather strop in one hand and a pair of braces in the other.]

She.  Take this strop—­he can’t break that.  And would these be any good to you?

[She hands the braces to Maud and goes out on to the verandah and hastily away.  Maud, transferring the braces to the Rector, goes out, draws Hannibal from the casement window, and secures him with the strap.  The Rector sits suddenly with the braces in his hands.  There is a moment’s peace.]

Lady Ella.  Splendid, isn’t she?  I do admire her.