“Allow me, milady,” the wardrobe-mistress wheezed.

“I fancy I heard a rip...!”

“There must have been quite a scrimmage.”

From the orchestra, a melodious throb-thrum-throb told a “curtain.”

“Lady Mary—you, Mum,” a call-boy chirped.

“Me?”

“Five minutes.”

Lady Mary showed distress.

“For goodness sake, my dear,” she addressed Miss Sinquier, “do leave yourself alone. I want the glass.”

But Miss Sinquier seemed engrossed.