Sladder: Anything, everything. Only go and give them the cheese.
Ermyntrude: All right, father.
[She moves to the door R., she looks round, then goes out by the French window instead.
Sladder: Why are you going that way, child?
Ermyntrude: O—er—I thought it would be nice to go round over the lawn, father. I can get in by the drawing-room.
Sladder: O, very well. Be quick, dear.
Ermyntrude: All right, father.
[The magnet that has attracted Ermyntrude to the lawn now appears in the form of Mr. Hippanthigh, passing the window on his way to the hall-door. Sladder and Splurge do not see him, having their backs to the window. Ermyntrude looks round now and then to be sure of this. They hold hands longer than is laid down as necessary in books upon etiquette under the head of visiting. She gives him a look of glad and hopeful interrogation but he shakes his head solemnly, and passes gravely on, as one whose errand is no cheerful duty. She looks after him, then goes her way.
Sladder: Well, Splurge, we can only wait. (With emphasis.) If these mice eat it——
Splurge: Yes, sir?