Re-enter Mildred and Tom, followed by Lord Normantower, C. from R.
Mil. Phil, here’s Lord Normantower. (Mildred runs on to back of table, followed by Tom, who gets R. of sofa, and sits on arm of it. Sir Peter rises and goes down two steps, R.)
Phil. Ned! (rises and turns up to meet Lord Normantower)
Tom. He’s so brown, and he’s grown such a beard!
Nor. (up C.) Well, Phil, old man, how are you?
Phil. (they come down stage together, C., Philip on R. of Lord Normantower, Mildred crosses behind them to back of sofa, L. of Tom) My dear Ned! I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. Sir Peter Lund—Lord Normantower. How kind of you to come and stop with us! How pleasant it will be to chat over old times! But first of all, let me congratulate you on your new dignity.
Nor. Dignity? My dear Phil, I have no dignity. I am a born Bohemian, and the idea of me dropping in for a peerage strikes me as so ludicrous, I’ve done nothing but laugh ever since I became a hereditary legislator. (laughs)
Tom. Ha, ha, ha!
Nor. (suddenly serious) What’s the matter with you?
Tom. Fancy Ned a legislator!