[_In a whisper._] I wonder where I am now.
Be quiet! It's we--it's us--it's her and me! Oh, my grammar's going now!
There wasn't any daylight in your room when you came down, was there?
I thought I saw a glimmer through the window on the first floor landing.
Ah, perhaps that's some of yesterday's. I know! I've made up the fire; let us bivouac here till daybreak. Two by the fire, and take it in turns for the sofa. [_Picking up a bearskin rug and carrying it to the sofa._] Who's first for the sofa?
Come along, Gwendoline. [_Gwendoline puts herself upon the sofa, and Peggy covers her with the bearskin._] There--as soon as you drop off to sleep it will be Ermyntrude's turn. [_Looking through the conservatory doors._] Oh, how the snow is coming down! [_Joining Ermyntrude, who is warming her hands by the fire. She sits in an arm-chair._]
Peggy--do you know what has become of poor Dinah?
Yes, she's locked up up-stairs till the morning. Admiral Rankling locked her up.
Go to sleep! Oh, what a scene there was! Admiral Rankling foamed at the mouth. It was lucky they got Mr. Queckett away from him in time.
[_Leaning against Peggy's knees._] Mr. Queckett is locked up too, isn't he?
Of course he is--till the morning. Miss Dyott locked him up--very properly I think.
Up-stairs, in the room next to mine, in hysterics. Hush! I do believe Gwendoline has gone off. Are you pretty comfortable?
[_Her head on Peggy's lap--sleepily._] Yes, thank you.
[_ Wearily._] Oh! [_The door quietly opens, and Saunders appears. Peggy and Ermyntrude are hidden from him by the armchair._]
[_Sleepily._] I can't sleep in my room. Where have they put Uncle Jack, I wonder? [_Seeing Gwendoline, who is sleeping, with the light from the conservatory windows upon her._] Oh--what's that? [_Going softly up to Gwendoline, and looking at her._] Why, here's my Gwen. I wonder if she'd mind my sitting near her. [_Turning up his coat collar and sitting gently on the footstool, he leans against the head of the sofa drowsily._] Now if any robbers wanted to hurt Gwen, I could kill them. [_Closing his eyes wearily._] Oh! [_Soon there is a sound of heavy regular breathing from the four sleeping figures. The door opens, and Mallory enters._]