Mr. Tid. Ha—well, to tell you the honest truth, I should have been just as pleased if you had come here without any handle of that sort to your name.
Lord Strath. Quite unnecessary to tell me so—and, you see, I couldn't very well help myself.
Mr. Tid. (to himself). Blankley sends 'em all out with titles—then his is bogus! (Aloud.) Oh, I don't blame you, if it's the rule; only—(irritably)—well, it makes me feel so devilish awkward, you know!
Lord Strath. Extremely sorry—don't know why it should. (To himself.) Queer little chap my host. Don't look the Egyptologist exactly. And where does he keep all his things? Downstairs, I suppose. (He turns, and recognises Miss Seaton.) Marjory Seaton—here! and I've been trying to hear something of her ever since I came back from Gîzeh—this is luck! (To her.) How do you do, Miss Seaton? No idea we should meet like this!
"I look upon him simply as a human being."
Miss Seaton (in a low constrained voice). Nor I, Mr. Claymore. [Mr. Tidmarsh catches his Wife's eye, and crosses to her.
Mrs. Tid. (sotto voce). Montague, isn't it time you introduced me to this Lord Whatever-it-is? As the person of highest rank here, he certainly ought to take me in!
Mr. Tid. He's done it, Maria. He's no more a Lord than I am. Miss Seaton knows him—I just heard her call him "Mr. Clayton," or some name like that!
Mrs. Tid. (aghast.) So this is the sort of person you would go and engage! He'll be found out, Montague, I can see Uncle edging up towards him already. And anyhow, you know what his opinions are. A pretty scrape you've got us into! Don't stand gaping—bring the man up to me this minute—I must give him a hint to be careful. (Lord S. is led up and presented.) Sit down here, please, in this corner, Lord—(with a vicious emphasis)—Strath-Blankley. (Lord. S. obeys in mild amazement.) Really, my husband and I were hardly prepared for so aristocratic a guest—we are such plain humdrum people that a title—a real title like your lordship's—ahoo!—(with an acid titter)—is, well—rather overwhelming. I only hope you will be able to—er—sustain it, or otherwise——