her, has eloped with a missionary, and Penelope, by aid of the law [with a gesture towards Beadsworth], wants to recover the money.

Barlow.

It’s nonsense! You’re so unpractical, Charles.

Mrs. Golightly.

[To her husband.] But you had a telegram too, dear.

Golightly.

“Come at once. Decimal 7035. Penelope.”

Barlow.

How very odd.

Golightly.

Penelope.

The Others.

Penelope.

Penelope.

[Coming forward and kissing Mrs. Golightly.] Good evening, mamma!

Barlow.

[Eagerly.] Well?

Penelope.

Well, papa. [She puts her face up for him to kiss.]

Mrs. Golightly.

[Anxiously.] Now, Penelope.

Penelope.

Oh, Mr. Beadsworth, how nice of you to come. [She shakes hands with him.] Kiss me, Uncle Davenport. [She calmly puts up her face. With some irritation he kisses her.]

Penelope.

Thank you.... Was your whisky and soda quite right? [Looking round.] And the port? Father, you haven’t touched the barley-water. You ungrateful old thing!

Mrs. Golightly.

[Exasperated.] My dear, for goodness’ sake explain.

Barlow.

Where have you been all this time?

Penelope.

I—I’ve been sitting in the consulting-room. [With a roguish smile.] I watched you all come in.

Mrs. Golightly.

[Rather injured.] Peyton said you were out.

Barlow.

Really, Penelope, I think your behaviour is outrageous.

Penelope.

You see, I thought if I saw you one after the other as you came in, I should have to make four scenes instead of one. It would have been very exhausting and not nearly so effective.

Golightly.

Are you going to make a scene?

Penelope.

[With the greatest satisfaction.] I’m going to make a dreadful scene in a minute.

Mrs. Golightly.

Now, my dear, before you go any further, for goodness’ sake tell us what you meant by your telegrams.

Penelope.

Well, you see, I wanted you all to come immediately, and I thought the best thing was to trail your ruling passions under your noses.

Mrs. Golightly.

Do you understand what she means, Charles?

Penelope.

My dear mother, it’s the simplest thing in the world. You spend your life in converting the heathen—from a distance—and I knew if I mentioned the Central African Mission you’d fly here on the wings of the wind.

Mrs. Golightly.

In point of fact I came in an omnibus. But do you