Old Woman (chuckling). It's the right place. Oh yes, it's the right place. The Ninepin Club is where I was bound for.
Christabel. A most extraordinary person.
Old Woman. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. Oh, I see, nine of you. That's why you are the Ninepin Club. Quite a coincidence. (Shakes her head gravely.) But I thought there were ten in your class. How does it happen that you're one short?
Blanche. If you please, we would like to know what right you have to question our Club. Who are you, please?
Old Woman. Certainly, certainly. What's my name and where's my home? My name is Granny Playfair, and I am the general Club regulator. Whenever a Club is established, I look after it, d'ye see?
[The girls appear much mystified.]
Blanche. Well, Granny Playfair?
Granny. And knowing about the Ninepin Club, I have come to regulate it.
Blanche. But how did you know about our Club? The members are pledged to secrecy.
Granny. How did I know? Well, there's where I am pledged to secrecy. It's a mighty good thing for Clubs that I regulate them, though. Little birds of the air sometimes tell me things.