Mr. Wackerbath.

[To Horace.] I ought to tell you this is quite an impromptu little affair. The wife only came up this morning for a day or two in town, and asked some old friends of ours to dinner. So I wired to you on the off-chance of your being free to come and meet them.

Mrs. Wackerbath.

So kind of you to come on such short notice!

Horace.

I was delighted.

Mrs. Wackerbath.

[Suddenly realising Pringle's presence; to Mr. Wackerbath.] But, Samuel, aren't you forgetting to introduce your other guest?

Horace.

[To himself foreseeing trouble.] Good Lord!