JEAN (_gaily precipitates herself into the conversation_). You remember Mrs. Freddy's friend who came to tea here in the winter? (_To_ GREATOREX.) He was a member of Parliament too--quite a little young one--he said women would never be respected till they had the vote!
(GREATOREX _snorts, the other men smile and all the women except_ MRS. HERIOT.)
MRS. H. (_sniffing_). I remember telling him that he was too young to know what he was talking about.
LORD J. Yes, I'm afraid you all sat on the poor gentleman.
LADY JOHN (_entering_). Oh, _there_ you are!
JEAN. It was such fun. He was flat as a pancake when we'd done with him. Aunt Ellen told him with her most distinguished air she didn't want to be "respected."
MRS. F. (_with a little laugh of remonstrance_). My _dear_ Lady John!
FARN. Quite right! Awful idea to think you're _respected_!
LADY JOHN (_at writing-table_). Now, you frivolous people, go away. We've only got a few minutes to talk over the terms of the late Mr. Soper's munificence before the carriage comes for Miss Levering----
MRS. F. (_to_ FARNBOROUGH). Did you know she'd got that old horror to give Lady John £8,000 for her charity before he died?
LADY JOHN. Miss Levering. He wouldn't do it for me, but she brought him round.
MRS. F. (_turning enthusiastically to her husband_). Isn't she wonderful?
LORD J. (_aside_). Nice creature. All she needs is----
(MR. _and_ MRS. FREDDY _and_ FARNBOROUGH _stroll off to the garden._ LADY JOHN _on far side of the writing-table._ MRS. HERIOT _at the top._ JEAN _and_ LORD JOHN, L.)
GREAT. (_on divan_ C., _aside to_ MISS LEVERING). Too "wonderful" to waste your time on the wrong people.
MISS L. I shall waste less of my time after this.
GREAT. I'm relieved to hear it. I can't see you wheedling money for shelters and rot of that sort out of retired grocers.
MISS L. You see, you call it rot. We couldn't have got £8,000 out of _you_.
GREAT. If I gave you that much--for your little projects--what would you give me?
MISS L. (_speaking quietly_). Soper didn't ask that.
GREAT. (_horrified_). Soper! I should think not!
LORD J. (_turning to_ MISS LEVERING). Soper? You two still talking Soper? How flattered the old beggar'd be!
LORD J. (_lower_). Did you hear what Mrs. Heriot said about him? "So kind; so munificent--so _vulgar_, poor soul, we couldn't know him in London--_but we shall meet him in heaven_."