Confound it, sir, you're not going to relate anecdotes now!

JAFFRAY.

I beg your pardon, sir, Mr. Goff is one of the most experienced and entertaining members of the Brigade.

RANKLING.

I tell you I don't care about that just now! Where are the ladies? [Saunders goes out.]

JAFFRAY.

Excuse me sir, Mr. Goff's reminiscences are well worth hearing while you wait.

RANKLING.

But I don't wish to wait! [Mallory and Peggy, Saunders and Gwendoline, Reginald and Dinah, followed by Jane, enter. The girls are hastily attired in all sorts of odd apparel and carrying bonnet-boxes, parcels, and small hand-bags. Ermyntrude carries, amongst other things, a cage of white mice, Gwendoline a bird in a cage, and Dinah a black cat, and Peggy a pair of skates and a brush and comb.]

THE GIRLS.