[_PRINGLE, hearing this, makes a contemptuous ejaculation to himself._
[_To HORACE._] I ought to tell you this is quite an _impromptu_ little affair. The wife only came up this morning for a day or two in town, and asked some old friends of ours to dinner. So I wired to you on the off-chance of your being free to come and meet them.
So kind of you to come on such short notice!
[_Suddenly realising PRINGLE'S presence; to MR. WACKERBATH._] But, Samuel, aren't you forgetting to introduce your other guest?
[_To himself foreseeing trouble._] Good Lord!
[_He goes up round the table to the glazed balcony._
[_Surprised, to MRS. WACKERBATH._] My _other_----? I was not aware----[_He turns and sees PRINGLE, and advances to him._] You must excuse me, sir, but I didn't see you before. I--ah--haven't the pleasure of knowing your name--at present.
[_Coming forward._] My name is Pringle. _Yours_--[_meaningly_]--is quite well known to me, Mr. Wackerbath.
[_Gratified, but not surprised._] Ha! Very good of you to say so. And I needn't tell you that any friend of Mr. Ventimore's----
[_Tartly._] I am not here in that capacity, sir. I am here because I also am expecting friends to dine with me. And I was certainly given to understand that this room had been reserved for my _own_ party.
[_In some distress._] Oh, dear! I _am_ so sorry. I'm afraid _I'm_ to blame. I asked the manager for this room--he told me it was engaged, but he would arrange for you to have the "Patience" Room instead.
I can only assure you that this is the first _I've_ heard of it, or else----
[_Rising._] I _quite_ thought it would be explained to you, and I do so _hope_ the change hasn't put you to any great inconvenience?
[_Sourly._] I'm afraid, Mrs. Wackerbath, it has put my guests to considerable inconvenience, as they have presumably been shown into the "Patience" Room, and been waiting there for nearly half an hour--if they haven't already left! So--[_making a movement towards the arch_]--if you will kindly permit me----
[_Coming down, and intercepting him; in an under>tone._] You won't find them there, Pringle. They haven't come. They _won't_ come now, I assure you.
[_On left, outside door above arch._] This must be the room, Sophia--I observe "Pinafore" on the door.