[_More astonished than ever, announcing._] Miss Gwendoline Hawkins. [_Gwendoline enters, dressed in a simple and pretty party-dress. Tyler goes out._]
[_Bashfully, seeing nobody but Queckett._] Oh, I'm first; I shall come back again. [_She is going._]
Come in--come in. How d'ye do. [_Gwendoline advances. Queckett shakes hands with her._] Delighted to see you--so glad you've come--won't you sit down? [_To himself with satisfaction._] Illustrations of Deportment and the Restrictions of Society--Vere Queckett. Carrie would be delighted. [_Tyler re-enters, still more astonished._]
Miss Hermyntrude Johnson, and--and--and Mrs. Reginald Paulover!
This is a little too vexing! [_Ermyntrude and Dinah enter, both prettily dressed--Dinah in white. Tyler goes out. Angrily._] How d'ye do--so glad you've come--won't you sit down?
Awfully well. [_They sit, the three girls in a row. Dinah in the centre, Gwendoline and Ermyntrude taking her hands._]
[_To himself._] Instructions in Polite Conversation. [_Brusquely to Dinah._] How is Paulover?
[_To himself._] Carrie would be pleased. [_To the girls._] H'm! I suppose you young ladies distinctly understand that I occupy a painfully false position this evening?
I am sure it is very, very kind of you to give this party.
[_To himself_] Well, now, that's exceedingly appropriate, the way in which that is put. Carrie really does do her duty to the parents of these girls.
Peggy says you insist on our calling you Uncle.
Does she? [_To himself_]. Peggy is the one I've turned against.
We think you'll be an awfully jolly uncle.
[_Pleased._] Thank ye--thank ye. [_To himself._] I begin to like helping Carrie with the pupils. [_Peggy enters. She is quaintly but untidily dressed in poor, much worn, and old-fashioned finery. In her hand she carries a pair of soiled, long white gloves._] Hallo! [_Without speaking a word, Peggy hurries across the room and goes out._] What is the matter with that vexing girl now? [_Peggy re-enters with Tyler, pushing him forward._]
[_Announcing._] Miss Margaret Hesslerigge. [_Peggy advances to Queckett, holding out her hand._]
[_Savagely._] How d'ye do--delighted to see you--for goodness' sake, sit down! [_He turns away to the fire. The three girls rise to greet Peggy._]