Eh? [_Correcting himself _] He writes me--[_Referring to the letter._] "Now, old chap, do let me give you the details of our new self-loading eighty-ton gun." Well, Carrie, what the deuce am I to do? It seems a nice gun. [_She shrugs her shoulders._] Carrie, what is your Vere to do? [_She makes no answer, he approaches her and touches her on the shoulder.'_]Carrie. Carrie, look at your Vere. Vere speaks to you. [_He sits on her lap, she looks up affectionately._] Carrie, darling, you know old Jack is such a devil--
A nice devil, you know--an exceedingly nice devil. Now I can't show up at the Club after sending in my resignation--they'd quiz me awfully. But I must entertain poor old Jack. [_Coaxingly._] Eh? Resignation sent in through misunderstanding, eh? [_Pinching her cheek._] Ten little ginny. winnies, eh?
Not a ginny-winriy! For a Club, not half a ginny-winny!
I wish I could forget what is due to everybody. Don't be cross, Vere. I'll fetch your hat and coat, and Vere shall go out for his little morning stroll. And if he promises not to be angry with his Caroline, there are five shillings to spend. [_She gives him some silver; he looks up beamingly again._]
[_Taking his face between her hands and kissing him._] Um--you spoilt boy! [_She runs out._]
Now what am I to do about Jack? I can't ask him here. Carrie would never allow it, and if she would I couldn't stand the chaff about marrying a Boarding School. No, I can't ask Jack here. _Why_ can't I ask Jack here? Everybody in bed at nine o'clock--square the boy Tyler to wait. Bachelor lodgings, near Portland Place. Extremely good address. Jack _shall_ give me the details of that eighty-ton gun. Yes--and we'll load it, too. While I'm out I'll send this wire to Jack.
[_Taking a telegraph form from the stationery-cabinet, and writing._] "Come up to-night, dear old boy. Nine-thirty, sharp. Diggings of humble bachelor. 80, Duke Street, Portland Place. Bring two or three good fellows. Vere." How much does that come to? [_Counting the words rapidly._] One--two--three--four--five--no. [_Getting confused._] One--two--three--four--five--six--no. One--two--three--four--five--six. [_Counting to the end._] I think it is one and something half-penny--but it's all luck under the new regulations. Oh, and I haven't addressed it! Where's Jack's letter? [_He takes the letter from his pocket. Peggy enters quietly. Seeing Queckett, she draws back, watching him._]