[_Exit_ PILCHER. CRIDDLE _closes the door after him._
_Matt._ Dolly, I don't mind having that new Parisian hat on with you.
_Dolly._ Done! I don't mind how much I punish you.
_Prof._ [_Taking out his watch._] Half past three, my dear.
_Renie._ I don't think I'll go out this afternoon.
_Prof._ Oh, you'd better take your little constitutional. You missed it yesterday. I'm sure your restlessness is due to your not taking regular exercise.
_Renie._ Which way are you going? [_Yawning._
_Prof._ My usual round, up to the White House and back by the fish-pond.
_Renie._ Perhaps I'll join you at the fish-pond.
_Prof._ [_To_ MATT.] Nothing like living by rule and measure.
_Matt._ I shouldn't wonder. I've never tried it.
_Prof._ I ascribe my constant good health and contentment to my unvarying routine of work and diet and exercise. [_Exit._
_Matt._ Then where do my constant good health and contentment come from?
_Lucas._ Dolly, I left my evening kit here. Could you put me up for the night?
_Dolly._ Delighted! You'll make up our rubber.
_Matt._ Not going to ride back to Aldershot again to-night?
_Lucas._ Just a shade! Dolly, I haven't seen your new fish-pond. Is anybody going to meet the Professor?
_Matt._ I am. [_Linking his arm in_ LUCAS'S.] We'll get into an unvarying routine of exercise for the next hour. Come along!
[_Takes_ LUCAS _off as he is exchanging a look with_ RENIE. RENIE _makes to follow them, stops at door, turns back a little, stops, takes out_ LUCAS'S _letter from her French novel, goes to fire and reads it. Meanwhile the following scene takes place between_ DOLLY _and_ HARRY.
_Harry._ [_To_ DOLLY.] Now, Dolly, we can go through your bills.
_Dolly._ Yes. Hadn't I better sort them out first?
_Harry._ [_Taking up bills._] Oh, I'll help you sort them out----
_Dolly._ Take care! You'll muddle all my papers. [_Taking bills out of his hands, and closing down the writing-desk._] I want to have a little talk with Renie--you'd better join them at the fish-pond.
_Harry._ Well, so long as you do get them sorted, and squared up. What about after tea?
_Harry._ After tea. We'll have a nice cosy half-hour, all to ourselves, and sweep them all out of our minds.
_Dolly._ [_Nods cheerfully._] Yes, a nice cosy half-hour and sweep them all out of our minds. [_With his gesture. Exit_ HARRY _briskly. She repeats his gesture._] Sweep them all out of our minds. [_Opening desk and regarding bills with dismay._] Oh, don't I wish I could! Oh, Renie!