Julia (affectionately).  I’ll come, dear, if you wish it.  Give me one kiss.

Charteris (exasperated).  This is too much.  No:  I’m dashed if I will.  Here, let me go, Julia. (She clings to him.) Will you come without another word if I give you a kiss?

Julia.  I will do anything you wish, darling.

Charteris.  Well, here. (He takes her in his arms and gives her an unceremonious kiss.) Now remember your promise.  Come along.

Julia.  That was not a nice kiss, dearest.  I want one of our old real kisses.

Charteris (furious).  Oh, go to the deuce. (He disengages himself impulsively; and she, as if he had flung her down, falls pathetically with a stifled moan.  With an angry look at her, he strides out and slams the door.  She raises herself on one hand, listening to his retreating footsteps.  They stop.  Her face lights up with eager, triumphant cunning.  The steps return hastily.  She throws herself down again as before.  Charteris reappears, in the utmost dismay, exclaiming) Julia:  we’re done.  Cuthbertson’s coming upstairs with your father—­(she sits up quickly) do you hear?—­the two fathers.

Julia (sitting on the floor).  Impossible.  They don’t know one another.

Charteris (desperately).  I tell you they are coming up together like brothers.  What on earth are we to do?

Julia (scrambling up with the help of his hand).  Quick, the lift:  we can go down in that. (She rushes to the table for her bonnet.)

Charteris.  No, the man’s gone home; and the lift’s locked.

Julia (putting on bonnet at express speed).  Let’s go up to the next floor.

Charteris.  There’s no next floor.  We’re at the top of the house.  No, no, you must invent some thumping lie.  I can’t think of one:  you can, Julia.  Exercise all your genius.  I’ll back you up.

Julia.  But------

Charteris.  Sh-sh!  Here they are.  Sit down and look at home. (Julia tears off her bonnet and mantle; throws them on the table; and darts to the piano at which she seats herself.)

Julia.  Come and sing. (She plays the symphony to “When other lips.”  He stands at the piano, as if about to sing.  Two elderly gentlemen enter.  Julia stops playing.)

The elder of the two gentlemen, Colonel Daniel Craven, affects the bluff, simple veteran, and carries it off pleasantly and well, having a fine upright figure, and being, in fact, a goodnaturedly impulsive, credulous person who, after an entirely thoughtless career as an officer and a gentleman, is now being startled into some sort of self-education by the surprising proceedings of his children.

His companion, Mr. Joseph Cuthbertson, Grace’s father, has none of the Colonel’s boyishness.  He is a man of fervent idealistic sentiment, so frequently outraged by the facts of life, that he has acquired an habitually indignant manner, which unexpectedly becomes enthusiastic or affectionate when he speaks.