Part 77

Any amount.

ROPER.

JIMMIE.

That's obvious.

ROPER.

And-- I frankly admit it-- I've had more than one serious dispute with Mrs. Roper on the subject. [JIMMIE softly whistles a few bars of "Rule, Britannia."] Yesterday, by a coincidence-- [feeling the outside of his breast-pocket] letter from the wife-- full o' complaints-- haven't been to Bexhill, to her and the kids, for weeks. And to do Ellen Roper justice, she's not the woman to grumble without cause. [Picking up his hat and cane which he has placed upon the centre table.] Dash it all, home ties are home ties! [Polishing his hat with his sleeve.] And, taking one consideration with another-- and after this-- this occurrence-- it's my intention for the future-- my firm intention----

LILY.

MRS. UPJOHN.

LILY.

MRS. UPJOHN AND JIMMIE.

Oh----!

GLADYS.

LILY.

In?

GLADYS.

LILY.

GLADYS.

They're in the dining-room.

LILY.

GLADYS.

Oh, all right. This won't get my silver cleaned.

LILY.

Oh, why can't they leave me alone! What do they want with me now, both of them!

MRS. UPJOHN.

LILY.

Nicko's downstairs-- with Lord Farncombe.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Lord Farncombe----!