class="smcap">Peyton.

Thank you, sir.

Golightly.

What on earth does Penelope want me to do with last week’s Athenæum and a glass of barley-water?

Barlow.

Well, presumably she wants you to drink the one and to read the other.

Golightly.

[To his wife.] My dear, I think it’s very hard that you should have brought up our only child on the idea that my favourite form of refreshment is barley-water.

Barlow.

It looks as if Penelope expected you, too.

Golightly.

I’ve just had a wire from her.

Barlow.

Have you? I wonder why on earth she wired to you.

Mrs. Golightly.

It’s so extraordinary that she shouldn’t be here. It makes me feel very nervous.

Golightly.

Well, frankly, I couldn’t make head or tail of it, so I jumped into a motor cab and came round from the club at once.

Peyton.

Mr. Beadsworth.

Golightly.

Well, I’m hanged.

Barlow.

My dear Charles, I wish you wouldn’t be slangy. It’s gone out in our set.

Beadsworth.

[Shaking hands with Mrs. Golightly.] I’ve just had a telegram from Penelope asking me to come at once. [Turning to Peyton.] Will you let Mrs. O’Farrell know I’m here?

Golightly.

She’s out.

Peyton.

Mrs. O’Farrell said, would you make yourself comfortable, sir, and we’ve got the Law Times if you’d like to read it, and will you have a glass of port, sir?

Golightly.

By all means have a glass of port, and I’ll swop it for my barley-water.

Beadsworth.

[To Peyton.] Thank you.

Peyton.

[Handing him the paper.] Very good, sir.

Beadsworth.

What does she want me to do with the Law Times?

Golightly.

I asked the same question when Peyton handed me last week’s Athenæum, and Davenport, with the perspicacity that distinguishes him, answered: read it.

Beadsworth.

Can you tell me what Penelope wants? Her telegram suggested that she wished to see me not as an old friend, but in my official capacity as the family solicitor.

Golightly.

I haven’t an idea. I thought her telegram most mysterious.

Mrs. Golightly.

I wish she’d come in. I’m beginning to be dreadfully uneasy.

Barlow.

[Rather pompously.] I think I can put your minds at rest. I am in a position to explain the