BENNET [her very quietness is beginning to alarm him. It shakes him from his customary perfection of manners]. The Lady Bantocks do not as a rule receive circus girls in their boudoir.
FANNY [still with her alarming quietness]. Neither do they argue with their servants. Please show these ladies in.
BENNET. I warn you—
FANNY. You heard my orders. [Her tone has the right ring. The force of habit is too strong upon him. He yields—savagely—and goes out. She turns to the Doctor.] So sorry I had to drag you into it. I didn’t see how else I was going to floor him.
DR. FREEMANTLE. Splendid! [He grips her hand.]
FANNY [she goes to the old ladies who sit bewildered terrified.] They won’t be here for more than a few minutes—they can’t be. I want you to be nice to them—both of you. They are friends of mine. [She turns to the Doctor.] They’re the girls I used to act with. We went all over Europe—twelve of us—representing the British Empire. They are playing in London now.
DR. FREEMANTLE. To-night? [He looks at his watch.]
FANNY [she is busy at the tea-table]. Yes. They are on the stage at half past nine. You might look out their train for them. [She points to the Bradshaw on the desk.] I don’t suppose they’ve ever thought about how they’re going to get back. It’s Judy’s inspiration, this, the whole thing; I’d bet upon it. [With a laugh.] She always was as mad as a March hare.
DR. FREEMANTLE [busy with the Bradshaw]. They were nice-looking girls.
FANNY. Yes. I think we did the old man credit. [With a laugh.] John Bull’s daughters, they called us in Paris.