Edith [complacently coming to the fireplace] You can depend on me for that, Uncle Boxer.

Hotchkiss.  Are you sure you have any adequate idea of what the truth about a military man really is?

Reginald [aggressively] Whats the truth about you, I wonder?

Hotchkiss.  Oh, quite unfit for publication in its entirety.  If Miss Bridgenorth begins telling it, I shall have to leave the room.

Reginald.  I’m not at all surprised to hear it. [Rising] But whats it got to do with our business here to-day?  Is it you thats going to be married or is it Edith?

Hotchkiss.  I’m so sorry, I get so interested in myself that I thrust myself into the front of every discussion in the most insufferable way. [Reginald, with an exclamation of disgust, crosses the kitchen towards the study door].  But, my dear Rejjy, are you quite sure that Miss Bridgenorth is going to be married?  Are you, Miss Bridgenorth?

Before Edith has time to answer her mother returns with Leo and Lesbia.

Leo.  Yes, here she is, of course.  I told you I heard her dash downstairs. [She comes to the end of the table next the fireplace].

Mrs Bridgenorth [transfixed in the middle of the kitchen] And Cecil!!

Lesbia.  And Sinjon!

The bishop.  Edith wishes to speak to Cecil. [Mrs Bridgenorth comes to him.  Lesbia goes into the garden, as before].  Let us go into my study.

Leo.  But she must come and dress.  Look at the hour!

Mrs Bridgenorth.  Come, Leo dear. [Leo follows her reluctantly. 
They are about to go into the study with the Bishop].

Hotchkiss.  Do you know, Miss Bridgenorth, I should most awfully like to hear what you have to say to poor Cecil.

Reginald [scandalized] Well!

Edith.  Who is poor Cecil, pray?

Hotchkiss.  One always calls a man that on his wedding morning:  I dont know why.  I’m his best man, you know.  Dont you think it gives me a certain right to be present in Cecil’s interest?

The general [gravely] There is such a thing as delicacy, Mr
Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss.  There is such a thing as curiosity, General.

The general [furious] Delicacy is thrown away here, Alfred. 
Edith:  you had better take Sykes into the study.

The group at the study door breaks up.  The General flings himself into the last chair on the long side of the table, near the garden door.  Leo sits at the end, next him, and Mrs Bridgenorth next Leo.  Reginald returns to the oak chest, to be near Leo; and the Bishop goes to his wife and stands by her.

Hotchkiss [to Edith] Of course I’ll go if you wish me to.  But Cecil’s objection to go through with it was so entirely on public grounds—­