SERV. Mrs. Blake. (_LUCY turns and goes down, R._)

_ALMA runs in, R. Exit SERVANT, R._

ALMA. (_running to NED and wringing both his hands_) Oh, Ned, you dear. I'm so happy. I could kiss you!

NED. Don't be shy. Lucy doesn't mind.

ALMA. (_turns_) How are you, love? Excuse me for not seeing you. I'm so excited. I've quite lost my head. I've such news for you.

NED. Well?

ALMA. Sir Humphrey's coming to see you!

NED. My father!

ALMA. I've brought him round at last. But hasn't it been hard work?

I've been manoeuvring for the last three months. I didn't know there was a man alive I couldn't twist round my finger in three days.

NED. He's coming here to-night?

ALMA. So am I. I've arranged to bring him--that is, I've arranged he's to bring _me._ d.i.c.k's new piece is a frost. I thought it would be, and threw up my part. So I'm at liberty, and we're both coming for the evening.

NED. Lucy--(_LUCY goes up_)--you'd better order some more dinner.

There'll be the Dozeys--Potter----

ALMA. Mr. Potter coming! Oh, I'm so glad!

LUCY. (_aside_) They'll meet! (_at back, R._)

ALMA. I feel quite curious to see Mr. Potter. You know I just missed him at Sir Humphrey's; and as a rule the people we miss in this world are so much more interesting than the people we meet.

NED. Then, there's my father and Alma--(_LUCY looks at NED_) Mrs.

Blake.

LUCY. (_crosses to door, R._) That makes only seven.

NED. But don't forget the doctor's one of them.

LUCY. I'd better see the cook. (_Exit, R._)

NED. How good it is of you to have arranged all this! You've taken a load off my mind already. I couldn't bear being on bad terms with the governor.

ALMA. I'm as pleased as you are. And that's not all. I've more good news for you. Sparkle's new piece is such a failure, d.i.c.k'll have to change the bill immediately; and I shouldn't wonder if I place your play.

NED. The one I'm doing now?

ALMA. Isn't it done?

NED. (_crosses to table, returns with letter_) Another week will finish it. I'm re-writing that compromising letter. You said the first one wasn't strong enough.

ALMA. Not half. When you compromise your hero, compromise him. The public like imperial measure. Let 'em have it.

NED. Well, I think this is warm enough. (_give sheet to ALMA_)

ALMA. (_reads_) "Willow Bank, Surbiton."

NED. No, no. (_takes the sheet of paper_)

ALMA. "Willow Bank, Surbiton." It says so.

NED. That's this house. I jotted my ideas down on a sheet of our notepaper to submit to you before I altered the ma.n.u.script. This is the letter I propose. "My own dearest Alma"----

ALMA. Stop. Is there an Alma in this play?

NED. The heroine. I told you, I call all my heroines "Alma."

ALMA. Te, te, te. Go on.

NED. "At last I have a moment to myself to scribble a hasty answer to your note. Of course I will be there."

ALMA. Where's that?

NED. The place appointed. It's an a.s.signation.

ALMA. Oh! Have they got to a.s.signations?

NED. Yes. I'm giving 'em imperial measure this time.

ALMA. Don't forget the Chamberlain.

NED. "I will make some excuse to get away. Oh, why have I to make excuses?"----

_Re-enter SERVANT, R._

SERV. Mr. Dodson d.i.c.k.

_Enter d.i.c.k, R. Exit SERVANT, R. NED puts the letter back._

NED. (_crosses to d.i.c.k_) This is an unexpected honour. (_ALMA crosses to L._)

d.i.c.k. (_puts hat on piano_) Just found your MS. Thought I would bring it you myself--avoid mistakes. Capital comedy--won't do at all.

(_gives NED MS._)

NED. Why, you've not opened it!

d.i.c.k. No need to open it--won't do at all.

ALMA. Good evening, Mr. d.i.c.k.