'Only a few minutes ago you were telling Lady Dadford how pleased you would be to go, Mr Dalrymple; I did not know you were such a humbug,' cries Mabel.
Jimmy laughs.
'Mrs Boothly,' announces the servant. Philippa retires to the back drawing-room and Dalrymple follows her. 'I have not seen you for ages,' says he.
'Only a week, I think,' replies Lippa.
'Isn't that seven whole long days?'
'Short I call them, but what have you been doing?'
'Duty.'
'Oh!'
Then after a pause he says, 'I can't make up my mind about the Dadfords, shall I go?'
Lippa feels naughty. 'What difference could it make to me whether you went or not?' she says.