Reginald [coming forward between the General and Mrs Bridgenorth] Alice:  it’s no use.  I cant stay away from Edith’s wedding.  Good morning, Lesbia.  How are you, Boxer? [He offers the General his hand].

The general [with crushing stiffness] I was just telling Alice, sir, that if you entered this house, I should leave it.

Reginald.  Well, dont let me detain you, old chap.  When you start calling people Sir, youre not particularly good company.

Lesbia.  Dont you begin to quarrel.  That wont improve the situation.

Mrs Bridgenorth.  I think you might have waited until you got my answer, Rejjy.

Reginald.  It’s so jolly easy to say No in a letter.  Wont you let me stay?

Mrs Bridgenorth.  How can I?  Leo’s coming.

Reginald.  Well, she wont mind.

The general.  Wont mind!!!!

Lesbia.  Dont talk nonsense, Rejjy; and be off with you.

The general [with biting sarcasm] At school you lead a theory that women liked being knocked down, I remember.

Reginald.  Youre a nice, chivalrous, brotherly sort of swine, you are.

The general.  Mr Bridgenorth:  are you going to leave this house or am I?

Reginald.  You are, I hope. [He emphasizes his intention to stay by sitting down].

The general.  Alice:  will you allow me to be driven from Edith’s wedding by this—­

Lesbia [warningly] Boxer!

The general. —­by this Respondent?  Is Edith to be given away by him?

Mrs Bridgenorth.  Certainly not.  Reginald:  you were not asked to come; and I have asked you to go.  You know how fond I am of Leo; and you know what she would feel if she came in and found you here.

Collins [again appearing in the tower] Mrs Reginald, maam.

Lesbia            {No, no.  Ask her to—­   } [All three
Mrs Bridgenorth   {Oh,  how unfortunate!  } clamoring
the general       {Well, dash my buttons! } together].

It is too late:  Leo is already in the kitchen.  Collins goes out, mutely abandoning a situation which he deplores but has been unable to save.

Leo is very pretty, very youthful, very restless, and consequently very charming to people who are touched by youth and beauty, as well as to those who regard young women as more or less appetizing lollipops, and dont regard old women at all.  Coldly studied, Leo’s restlessness is much less lovable than the kittenishness which comes from a rich and fresh vitality.  She is a born fusser about herself and everybody else for whom she feels responsible; and her vanity causes her to exaggerate her responsibilities officiously.  All her fussing is about little things; but she often calls them by big names, such