Joan. [From the door, in a frightened whisper] Here’s Mabel!

Dot.  Heavens, and the waters under the earth!

Christine.  If we only knew!

     Mabel comes in, the three girls are silent, with their eyes
     fixed on their books.

Mabel.  The silent company.

Dot. [Looking straight at her] We’re chucking it for to-day.

Mabel.  What’s the matter?

Christine.  Oh! nothing.

Dot.  Something’s happened.

Mabel.  Really!  I am sorry. [Hesitating] Is it bad enough for me to go?

Christine.  Oh! no, Mabel!

Dot. [Sardonically] I should think very likely.

     While she is looking from face to face, bill comes in from the
     workroom.  He starts to walk across the room, but stops, and
     looks stolidly at the four girls.

Bill.  Exactly!  Fact of the matter is, Miss Lanfarne, I’m engaged to my mother’s maid.

No one moves or speaks.  Suddenly Mabel Lanfarne goes towards him, holding out her hand.  Bill does not take her hand, but bows.  Then after a swift glance at the girls’ faces Mabel goes out into the corridor, and the three girls are left staring at their brother.

Bill. [Coolly] Thought you might like to know.
     [He, too, goes out into the corridor.]

Christine.  Great heavens!

Joan.  How awful!

Christine.  I never thought of anything as bad as that.

Joan.  Oh!  Chris!  Something must be done!

Dot. [Suddenly to herself] Ha!  When Father went up to have his glove buttoned!

     There is a sound, Jackson has came in from the corridor.

Jackson. [To Dot] If you please, Miss, Studdenham’s brought up the other two pups.  He’s just outside.  Will you kindly take a look at them, he says?

     There is silence.

Dot. [Suddenly] We can’t.

Christine.  Not just now, Jackson.

Jackson.  Is Studdenham and the pups to wait, Mm?

Dot shakes her head violently.  But Studdenham is seen already standing in the doorway, with a spaniel puppy in either side-pocket.  He comes in, and Jackson stands waiting behind him.

Studdenham.  This fellow’s the best, Miss dot. [He protrudes the right-hand pocket] I was keeping him for my girl—­a, proper greedy one—­takes after his father.

     The girls stare at him in silence.

Dot. [Hastily] Thanks, Studdenham, I see.

Studdenham.  I won’t take ’em out in here.  They’re rather bold yet.

Christine. [Desperately] No, no, of course.