Dolly. Oh, please don't be in such a hurry. What about your own contribution? Mr. Pilcher, I hope you don't intend to let my father escape.
Pilcher. I understood Mr. Barron was prepared to risk a five-pound note that you and Mr. Telfer will not carry your New Year resolutions into practice?
Matt. With the almost certain chance of drawing a five-pound note from Harry and a new hat from Dolly.
Pilcher. I'm afraid I can't hold out those inducements. But I can offer you the very pleasing alternatives of chuckling over your daughter's and Mr. Telfer's lapses, or of contributing five pounds to an excellent charity!
Matt. H'm! Well I'll do my best to oblige you, Mr. Pilcher! Let me see!
[Looking round, his eye falls on Renie and Lucas who, at the beginning of the above conversation have gone into conservatory at lower door, and now come out again at upper door. She has a hot-house flower in her hand, and they are eagerly absorbed in their conversation. The Professor talking to Harry and not noticing.
Renie. [Becoming aware that Matt is watching them.] Yes, that arrangement of the stamens is quite unusual. It's what the gardener calls a "sport"——
Lucas. [Examining the flower.] Jolly good sport, too!
Matt. I'm not sure that we haven't even better sport here——
Renie. [Coming to him.] Sport? What sport? Can we join?