Und. (involuntarily). In the Verney Chamber? Then the name must be Spurrell!
Phill. (starting). Spurrell! Why, I used to—— But of course it can't be him!
Tred. Spurrell was the name, though. (With a resentful glare at Undershell.) I don't know how you came to be aware of it, Sir!
Und. Why, the fact is, I happened to find out that—(here he receives an admonitory drive in the back from the Boy)—that his name was Spurrell. (To himself.) I wish this infernal Boy wouldn't be so officious; but perhaps he's right!
Tred. Ho, indeed! Well, another time, Mr. Hundershell, if you require information about parties staying with Us, p'r'aps you'll be good enough to apply to me personally, instead of picking it up in some 'ole and corner fashion. (Undershell controls his indignation with difficulty.) To return to the individual in question, Miss Phillipson, I should have said myself he was something in the artistic or littery way; he suttingly didn't give me the impression of being a Gentleman.
Phill. (to herself, relieved). Then it isn't my Jem! I might have known he wouldn't be visiting here, and carrying on with Lady Rhodas. He'd never forget himself like that—if he has forgotten me!
Stept. It strikes me he's more of a sporting character, Tredwell. I know when I was circulating with the cigarettes, and so on, in the hall just now, he was telling the Captain some anecdote about an old steeplechaser that was faked up to win a Selling Handicap, and it tickled me to that extent I could hardly hold the spirit-lamp steady!
Tred. I may be mistook, Steptoe. All I can say is, that when me and James was serving cawfy to the ladies in the drawing-room, some of them had got 'old of a little pink book all sprinkled over with silver cutlets, and, rightly or wrongly, I took it to 'ave some connection with 'im.
Und. (excitedly). Pink and silver! Might I ask—was it a volume of poetry, called—er—Andromeda?
Tred. (crushingly). That I did not take the liberty of inquiring, Sir, as you might be aware if you was a little more familiar with the hetiquette of good Serciety.