The Squire.  She’s all there.

The Rector. [Feelingly] Most kind.

     [He looks ruefully at the braces and at lady Ella.  A silence. 
     Maud reappears at the door and stands gazing at the braces.]

The Squire. [Suddenly] Eh?

Maud.  Yes.

The Squire. [Looking at his wife] Ah!

Lady Ella. [Absorbed in Edward] Poor darling!

The Squire. [Bluntly] Ella, the Rector wants to get up!

The Rector. [Gently] Perhaps—­just for a moment——­

Lady Ella.  Oh! [She turns to the wall.]

     [The Rector, screened by his wife, retires on to the verandah to
     adjust his garments.]

The Squire. [Meditating] So she’s married!

Lady Ella. [Absorbed in Edward] Why?

The Squire.  Braces.

Lady Ella.  Oh!  Yes.  We ought to ask them to dinner, Tommy.

The Squire.  Ah!  Yes.  Wonder who they are?

     [The Rector and Maud reappear.]

The Rector.  Really very good of her to lend her husband’s—­I was—­ er—­quite——­

Maud.  That’ll do, Bertie.

     [They see her returning along the verandah, followed by a sandy,
     red-faced gentleman in leather leggings, with a needle and
     cotton in his hand.]

Herself.  Caught the doctor just starting, So lucky!

Lady Ella.  Oh!  Thank goodness!

Doctor.  How do, Lady Ella?  How do, Squire?—­how do, Rector? [To Maud] How de do?  This the beastie?  I see.  Quite!  Who’ll hold him for me?

Lady Ella.  Oh!  I!

Herself.  D’you know, I think I’d better.  It’s so dreadful when it’s your own, isn’t it?  Shall we go in here, doctor?  Come along, pretty boy!

     [She takes Edward, and they pass into the room, left.]

Lady Ella.  I dreaded it.  She is splendid!

The Squire.  Dogs take to her.  That’s a sure sign.

The Rector.  Little things—­one can always tell.

The Squire.  Something very attractive about her—­what!  Fine build of woman.

Maud.  I shall get hold of her for parish work.

The Rector.  Ah!  Excellent—­excellent!  Do!

The Squire.  Wonder if her husband shoots?  She seems
quite-er—­quite——­

Lady Ella. [Watching the door] Quite!  Altogether charming; one of the nicest faces I ever saw.

     [The doctor comes out alone.]