L. Anne. Why?
Lemmy. As I daon’t believe in a life beyond the gryve, I might be tempted to send yer there.
L. Anne. What is the gryve?
Lemmy. Where little gells goes to.
L. Anne. Oh, when?
Lemmy. [Pretending to look at a match, which is not there] Well, I dunno if I’ve got time to finish yer this minute. Sy to-mower at. ’arf past.
L. Anne. Half past what?
Lemmy. [Despairingly] ’Arf past wot!
[The sound of applause is heard.]
James. That’s ’is Grace. ‘E’s gettin’ wickets, too.
[Poulder entering from the door.]
Poulder. Lord William is slippin’ in.
[He makes a cabalistic
sign with his head. Jeers crosses to the
door. Lemmy
looks dubiously at Poulder.]
Lemmy. [Suddenly—as to himself] Wot oh! I am the portly one!
Poulder. [Severely] Any such allusion aggeravates your offence.
Lemmy. Oh, ah! Look ’ere, it was a corked bottle. Now, tyke care, tyke care, ’aughty! Daon’t curl yer lip! I shall myke a clean breast o’ my betryal when the time comes!
[There is a alight movement of the door. Anne makes a dive towards the table but is arrested by Poulder grasping her waistband. Lord William slips in, followed by the press, on whom James and Thomas close the door too soon.]
Half of the press. [Indignantly] Look out!
James. Do you want him in or out, me Lord?
Lemmy. I sy, you’ve divided the Press; ’e was unanimous.
[The footmen let the press through.]
Lord W. [To the press] I’m so sorry.
Lemmy. Would yer like me to see to ’is gas?
Lord W. So you’re my friend of the cellars?
Lemmy. [Uneasy] I daon’t deny it.
[Poulder begins removing little Anne.]
L. Anne. Let me stay, Daddy; I haven’t seen anything yet! If I go, I shall only have to come down again when they loot the house. Listen!
[The hoarse strains
of the Marseillaise are again heard from the
distance.]
Lord W. [Blandly] Take her up, Poulder!
L. Anne. Well, I’m coming down again—and next time I shan’t have any clothes on, you know.
[They vanish between
the pillars. Lord William makes a sign
of
dismissal. The
footman file out.]
Lemmy. [Admiringly] Luv’ly pyces!
Lord W. [Pleasantly] Now then; let’s have our talk, Mr.——
Lemmy. Lemmy.