Spindler. [Very self-conscious] Yes,—I was just looking at this label here: it’s rather keen. [He puts the cigar in his mouth, and attempts an attitude of careless detachment.]
Ritter. Have you got a match?
Spindler. I don’t—[As he opens his mouth to speak the cigar falls on the floor, and he scrambles after it.]
Teddy. [Laughing incredulously and turning away from Nelly] Oh, Nelly!
Mrs. Fell. Upon my word, dear! Come here till I tell you. [Teddy returns to the partition and Nelly proceeds with her gossip.]
Spindler. [Straightening up, and attempting another man-of-the-world attitude] I don’t care to smoke just now, thank you. [He holds the cigar in his fingers.]
Ritter. [As things settle again] You’ve been in the army, haven’t you?
Spindler. [Turning to Ritter with a suggestion of military erectness] Yes; I put in the better part of three months down at Upton, in the Personnel.
Ritter. I imagined from your salute you’d been around one of the camps.
Spindler. Yes,—I was Third Lieutenant down there—[Ritter looks at him sharply; then Spindler turns and meets the look.] Regimental Sergeant Major.