Und. (to himself). I didn't expect him to take that view of it! (Aloud.) I—I felt I had no alternative.
[Lady Maisie regards him with admiration.
Sir Rup. You did an uncommon fine thing, Sir, and I'm afraid you received treatment on your arrival which you had every right to resent.
Und. (to himself). I hoped he didn't know about the Housekeeper's Room! (Aloud.) Please say no more about it, Sir Rupert. I know now that you were entirely innocent of any——
Sir Rup. (horrified). Good Gad! you didn't suppose I had any hand in fixing up that booby trap, or whatever it was, did you? Young fellows will get bear-fighting and playing idiotic tricks on one another, and you seem to have been the victim—that's how it was. Have you had anything to eat since you came? If not——
Und. (hastily). Thank you, I—I have dined. (To himself.) So he doesn't know where, after all! I will spare him that.
Sir Rup. Got some food at Shuntingbridge, eh? Afraid they gave you a wretched dinner?
Und. Quite the reverse, I assure you. (To himself.) Considering that it came from his own table!
Lady Maisie (in an undertone, to Captain Thicknesse). Gerald, you remember what I said some time ago—about poetry and poets?
Capt. Thick. Perfectly. And I thought you were quite right.