Roope.

[His hat on his head, drawing on his gloves.] Dear excellent friend! I should be out of place.

Philip.

Rubbish! Your presence would be peculiarly appropriate, my dear Robbie. Wasn't it you who brought Ottoline and me together, God bless yer! [Observing that Roope is weakening.] There's heaps of room for an extra chair. Everybody 'ud be delighted.

Roope.

[Meditatively.] I could telephone to Hughie excusing myself. He didn't ask me till this afternoon. [With an injured air.] I resent a short notice.

Philip.

[His eyes twinkling.] Quite right. Mine's short too——

Roope.

That's different.