The Squire.  That’s all right, Rector—­we’re goin’ to be perfectly polite, and—­and—­thank her, and all that.

Lady Ella.  We can see she’s a good sort.  What does it matter?

Maud.  My dear Ella!  “What does it matter!” We’ve got to know.

The Rector.  We do want light.

The Squire.  I’ll ring the bell. [He rings.]

     [They look at each other aghast.]

Lady Ella.  What did you ring for, Tommy?

The Squire. [Flabbergasted] God knows!

Maud.  Somebody’ll come.

The Squire.  Rector—­you—­you’ve got to——­

Maud.  Yes, Bertie.

The Rector.  Dear me!  But—­er—­what—­er——­How?

The Squire. [Deeply-to himself] The whole thing’s damn delicate.

     [The door right is opened and a maid appears.  She is a
     determined-looking female.  They face her in silence.]

The Rector.  Er—­er——­your master is not in?

The maid.  No.  ’E’s gone up to London.

The Rector.  Er——­Mr Challenger, I think?

The maid.  Yes.

The Rector.  Yes!  Er——­quite so

The maid. [Eyeing them] D’you want—­Mrs Challenger?

The Rector.  Ah!  Not precisely——­

The Squire. [To him in a low, determined voice] Go on.

The Rector. [Desperately] I asked because there was a—­a—­Mr. Challenger I used to know in the ’nineties, and I thought—­you wouldn’t happen to know how long they’ve been married?  My friend marr——­

The maid.  Three weeks.

The Rector.  Quite so—­quite so!  I shall hope it will turn out to be——­Er—­thank you—­Ha!

Lady Ella.  Our dog has been fighting with the Rector’s, and Mrs Challenger rescued him; she’s bathing his ear.  We’re waiting to thank her.  You needn’t——­

The maid. [Eyeing them] No.

     [She turns and goes out.]

The Squire.  Phew!  What a gorgon!  I say, Rector, did you really know a Challenger in the ’nineties?

The Rector. [Wiping his brow] No.

The Squire.  Ha!  Jolly good!

Lady Ella.  Well, you see!—­it’s all right.

The Rector.  Yes, indeed.  A great relief!

Lady Ella. [Moving to the door] I must go in now.

The Squire.  Hold on!  You goin’ to ask ’em to—­to—­anything?

Lady Ella.  Yes.

Maud.  I shouldn’t.

Lady Ella.  Why not?  We all like the look of her.