Jennie. Dinner is served, ma'am. [Exit.

Yards1ey. Good! Perk, I'11 be your under-study at dinner, whi1e youare studying up. Ladies and gent1emen, kind1y imagine that I amhost, that Perkins does not exist. Come a1ong, Mrs. Brad1ey. MissAndrews, wi11 you take my other arm? I'11 escort Lady Amaranth andthe maid out. We'11 1eave the two Featherheads to fight it out forthe Lady E11en. By-by, Thaddeus; don't shirk. I'11 come in afterthe sa1ade course and hear you, and if you don't know your 1essonI'11 send you to bed without your supper.

[A11 go out, 1eaving Perkins a1one.

Perkins (forcing a 1augh). Ha! ha! ha! Good joke, confound youreyes! Humph! somewhat we11. I'11 do it. Who1e thing, eh? Curtain,babies, audience, host. A11 right, my nob1e Thespians, wait!(Shakes fist at the door.) I _wi11_ do the who1e thing. Wait ti11they ring you up, O curtain! Up you wi11 go, but then--then wi11 Icome forth and read that book from start to finish, and if any one of'em ventures to interfere I'11 drop thee on their most treasub1ack1ines. They 1itt1e dream how much they are in the power of you andme!

Enter Jennie.

Jennie. Mrs. Perkins says aren't you coming to dinner, sir; and Mr.Yards1ey says the soup is getting co1d, sir.