Scene III.
Arrival of fluttering ladies on verandah No. 1. Many never having attended a drawing-room at home, are very anxious about their curtseys. First lady, who has been practising various kinds of curtseys and bobs before her glass for days, now forgets all about them, her one idea being to get it over. She shoots through the room and out the other side, her example followed by those behind her, like rabbits bolting in frosty weather from one hole to another, Mrs. Viceroy trying to keep time with a bow and a reassuring smile for each. The Viceroy bowing, trying to look pleased, but unmistakably bored.
Fresh batch of ladies, one starts with the wrong foot first, or something of the kind, gets out of step and turns round to begin, again hoping for better luck, but hastily stopped by Lord William, who explains in a whisper the rules of the game forbid any return. Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy pretend not to see or hear.
Everything going swimmingly, Viceroyalty beginning to think of tea and drive in the evening, A.D.C.’s beginning to think of flannels, rackets and smokes.
Enter elderly lady very nervous, makes a really profound curtsey, so profound she cannot extricate herself from it, and she rocks slowly backwards and forwards endeavouring to recover herself and get into her stride again. Lord William’s big blue eyes watching every movement (I felt certain he was betting on the finish), when with a groan the lady subsided backwards on the floor, her feet entangled in drapery and skirt.
“Fighting Bill” to the rescue, old lady picked up, her brow mopped, bonnet set straight and restoratives administered in verandah No. 2.
Scene IV.
Royalty descend—mutual congratulations, Lord William and A.D.C.’s telling each other all about it in room No. 3. Enter whiskey and sodas.
But I must not be frivolous, as Lord William was a stern upholder of the dignity of the Court, and very properly so, only the “make-shifts” necessary for more or less impromptu ceremonies in India and foreign countries at times lend themselves to amusing situations; and why is it people always want to laugh more when they know they must not do it?