[_Together._] Au revoir, Mademoiselle Dyott! Bon voyage, Mademoiselle Dyott! [_Peggy joins the Girls and they talk earnestly. A Cabman is seen carrying out the boxes from the hall, assisted by Tyler. Miss Dyott produces some paper packets of money from her hand-bag._]
[_As she gives the packets to Queckett._] Vere, the house-agent will apply for the rent--there it is. Our fire insurance expired yesterday--post the premium to the Eagle Office at once. Jane's wages are due next week--deduct for the broken water bottle. When you need exercise, dear one, tidy up the back yard--the recreation ground. A charwoman assists Jane on Fridays--three quarters of a day, and leaves before her tea. Good-bye, Vere.
The cab's a-waitin', ma'am. [_Miss Dyott takes Queckett's arm._]
Good-bye, Miss Dyott. [_Miss Dyott and Queckett go out through the hall. Peggy, Ermyntrude, and Gwendoline run over to the windows and look out. Dinah sits apart, thinking._]
Hurrah! Hurrah! [_Queckett returns, the Girls surround him demonstratively._]
Dinah--young ladies--[_pointing to Queckett_]--Uncle Vere!
[_Together._] Uncle Vere! Uncle Vere! [_Queckett tries to maintain his dignity, and pushes the girls from him. Tyler, with Jane, is seen letting off a squib in the hall._]
_The scene is a plain-looking schoolroom t Miss Dyott's. Outside the two windows runs a narrow balcony, and beyond are seen the upper stories and roofs of the opposite houses. There are two doors facing each other. The room is decorated for the occasion with holly and evergreen, and a table is laid with supper. Peggy is standing on a chair, with a large hammer in her hand, nailing up holly._
[_Surveying her work._] There! I'm sure Miss Dyott wouldn't recognise the dull old class-rooms. [_Descending._] I think it's time I dressed. [_Queckett enters slowly; he is in a perfectly fitting evening dress, with a flower in his button-hole, but looks much depressed. He and Peggy regard each other for a moment silently._] Oh, I'm so glad you're ready early! How good it makes one feel, giving pleasure to others--doesn't it? Aren't you well?
Yes--no. I deeply regret plunging into the vortex of these festivities.
[_Drawing himself up!_] Nervous in society, Miss Hesslerigge?