Bradley. Here’s mine, too, Thaddeus. Read ’em both at once, and then you’ll have gone over it twice.
[Throws his book into Perkins’s lap.
Perkins. I tell you—
Mrs. Perkins. Just this once, Teddy—please—for me.
Yardsley. You owe it to your position, Perkins. You are the only man here that knows anything about anything. You’ve frequently said so. You were doing it all, anyhow, you know—and you’re host—the audience are your guests—and you’re so clever and—
Perkins. But—
Enter Jennie.
Jennie. Dinner is served, ma’am. [Exit.
Yardsley. Good! Perk, I’ll be your under-study at dinner, while you are studying up. Ladies and gentlemen, kindly imagine that I am host, that Perkins does not exist. Come along, Mrs. Bradley. Miss Andrews, will you take my other arm? I’ll escort Lady Amaranth and the maid out. We’ll leave the two Featherheads to fight it out for the Lady Ellen. By-by, Thaddeus; don’t shirk. I’ll come in after the salade course and hear you, and if you don’t know your lesson I’ll send you to bed without your supper.
[All go out, leaving Perkins alone.