Walpole [rising and coming over to look] No, by Jove:  I must have this.

Louis.  I wish I could afford to give it to you, Sir Patrick.  But
I’d pay five guineas sooner than part with it.

Ridgeon.  Oh, for that matter, I will give you six for it.

Walpole.  Ten.

Louis.  I think Sir Patrick is morally entitled to it, as he sat for it.  May I send it to your house, Sir Patrick, for twelve guineas?

Sir Patrick.  Twelve guineas!  Not if you were President of the Royal Academy, young man. [He gives him back the drawing decisively and turns away, taking up his hat].

Louis [to B. B.] Would you like to take it at twelve, Sir Ralph?

B. B. [coming between Louis and Walpole] Twelve guineas?  Thank you:  I’ll take it at that. [He takes it and presents it to Sir Patrick].  Accept it from me, Paddy; and may you long be spared to contemplate it.

Sir Patrick.  Thank you. [He puts the drawing into his hat].

B. B. I neednt settle with you now, Mr Dubedat:  my fees will come to more than that. [He also retrieves his hat].

Louis [indignantly] Well, of all the mean—­[words fail him]!  I’d let myself be shot sooner than do a thing like that.  I consider youve stolen that drawing.

Sir Patrick [drily] So weve converted you to a belief in morality after all, eh?

Louis.  Yah! [To Walpole] I’ll do another one for you, Walpole, if youll let me have the ten you promised.

Walpole.  Very good.  I’ll pay on delivery.

Louis.  Oh!  What do you take me for?  Have you no confidence in my honor?

Walpole.  None whatever.

Louis.  Oh well, of course if you feel that way, you cant help it.  Before you go, Sir Patrick, let me fetch Jennifer.  I know she’d like to see you, if you dont mind. [He goes to the inner door].  And now, before she comes in, one word.  Youve all been talking here pretty freely about me—­in my own house too.  I dont mind that:  I’m a man and can take care of myself.  But when Jennifer comes in, please remember that she’s a lady, and that you are supposed to be gentlemen. [He goes out].

Walpole.  Well!!! [He gives the situation up as indescribable, and goes for his hat].

Ridgeon.  Damn his impudence!

B. B. I shouldnt be at all surprised to learn that he’s well connected.  Whenever I meet dignity and self-possession without any discoverable basis, I diagnose good family.

Ridgeon.  Diagnose artistic genius, B. B. Thats what saves his self-respect.

Sir Patrick.  The world is made like that.  The decent fellows are always being lectured and put out of countenance by the snobs.

B. B. [altogether refusing to accept this] I am not out of countenance.  I should like, by Jupiter, to see the man who could put me out of countenance. [Jennifer comes in].  Ah, Mrs. Dubedat!  And how are we to-day?