[_Anxiously.'_] I don't think it's nearly half-past nine yet.
[_Rather proudly, produces a huge, old-fashioned watch._] Twenty to ten.
I thought it was. [_Dinah, Gwendoline, and Ermyntrude run to one window, pull aside the blind, and look out. Peggy goes to the other window, pulls up the blind and opens the window._]
[_Peggy makes two or three ineffectual attempts to whistle._] Girls, it's ominous--my whistle has left me. [_ To Queckett, taking his arm._] Come and whistle!
[_Leading Queckett to the open window._] Whistle, or you'll catch cold. [_Queckett whistles twice, desperately, then returns to the fireplace, annoyed._] He's heard it. [_She closes the window and pulls down the blind._] Now, listen. [_To Gwendoline and Ermyntrude._] You two girls count five.
[_Clasping her hands._] Five! [_There is a distant ring at the bell; with a little cry Dinah runs out. Peggy begins to put her gloves on. Ermyntrude and Gwendoline go to the door, open it, and listen._] [_To Queckett._] Thank you for whistling. I shall never make a "Whistling woman," shall I?
A wide knowledge of humanity, in its highest and lowest grades, Miss Hesslerigge, does not enable me even to conjecture the possibilities of your future.
No compliments, please. Thank you. [_She holds out her gloved hand for him to button the glove. After a look of astonishment he complies._] You know my idea about my future, don't you?
That I only need one essential to become a Duchess.
[_To Queckett._] Now you'll see Mr. Paulover. Oh, I do hope he'll take to you!
Well, really, I'm--[_He walks angrily away as Dinah enters with Reginald Paulover, a good-looking lad, rather sheepish when in repose, but fiery and demonstrative when out of temper. He is in evening dress, overcoat, and muffler, and wears a respirator, which he removes on entering._]
[_Introducing the three girls._] Reggie, these are my three dear friends--Miss Hawkins--Miss Johnson--
[_Peggy advances and shakes hands with Reginald._]
Thank you very much for being so kind to--my wife.
[_To Gwendoline, disappointed._] No whiskers or moustache! Oh!
[_To Reginald._] Had you been waiting long?
Ten minutes. I was jolly glad to hear my wife's dear little whistle. I should know it from a thousand.