Lyre and Lancet Part 6

[_He opens the door for_ SPURRELL.

_Lady Cantire_ (_to_ SPURRELL, _who is still irresolute_). For goodness' sake don't hop about on that step! Come in, and let us start.

_Lady Maisie._ _Please_ get in--there's _plenty_ of room!

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). They _are_ chummy, and no mistake! (_Aloud, as he gets in._) I do hope it won't be considered any intrusion--my coming up along with your ladys.h.i.+ps, I mean!

_Lady Cantire_ (_snappishly_). Intrusion! I never heard such nonsense!

Did you expect to be asked to run behind? You really mustn't be so ridiculously modest. As if your _Andromeda_ hadn't procured you the _entree_ everywhere!

[_The omnibus starts._

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Good old Drummy! No idea I was such a swell. I'll keep my tail up. Shyness ain't one of _my_ failings.

(_Aloud, to an indistinct ma.s.s at the further end of the omnibus, which is unlighted._) Er--hum--pitch dark night, my lady, don't get much idea of the country! (_The ma.s.s makes no response._) I was saying, my lady, it's too dark to---- (_The ma.s.s snores peacefully._) Her ladys.h.i.+p seems to be taking a snooze on the quiet, my lady. (_To_ Lady MAISIE.) (_To himself._) Not that _that's_ the term for it!

_Lady Maisie_ (_distantly_). My mother gets tired rather easily. (_To herself._) It's really too dreadful; he makes me hot all over! If he's going to do this kind of thing at Wyvern! And I'm more or less _responsible_ for him, too! I _must_ see if I can't---- It will be only kind. (_Aloud, nervously._) Mr.--Mr. Blair!

_Spurrell._ Excuse me, my lady, not _Blair_--Spurrell.

_Lady Maisie._ Of course, _how_ stupid of me. I knew it wasn't _really_ your name. Mr. _Spurrell_, then, you--you won't mind if I give you just one little hint, _will_ you?

_Spurrell._ I shall take it kindly of your ladys.h.i.+p, whatever it is.

_Lady Maisie_ (_more nervously still_). It's really such a trifle, but--but, in speaking to mamma or me, it isn't at all necessary to say "my lady" or "your ladys.h.i.+p." I--I mean, it sounds rather, well--_formal_, don't you know!

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). _She's_ going to be chummy now! (_Aloud._) I thought, on a first acquaintance, it was only manners.

_Lady Maisie._ Oh--manners? yes, I--I dare say--but still--but still--_not_ at Wyvern, don't you know. If you like, you can call mamma "Lady Cantire," and me "Lady Maisie," now and then, and, of course, my aunt will be "Lady Culverin," but--but if there are other people staying in the house, you needn't call them _anything_, do you see?

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I'm not likely to have the chance!

(_Aloud._) Well, if you're sure they won't _mind_ it, because I'm not used to this sort of thing, so I put myself entirely in your hands,--for, of course, _you_ know what brought me down here?

_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). He means my foolish letter! Oh, I must put a stop to _that_ at once! (_In a hurried undertone._) Yes--yes; I--I think I do I mean, I _do_ know--but--but _please_ forget it--_indeed_, you must!

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). Forget I've come down as a vet? The Culverins will take care I don't forget that! (_Aloud._) But, I say, it's all very well; but how _can_ I? Why, look here; I was told I was to come down here on purpose to----

_Lady Maisie_ (_on thorns_). I know--you needn't tell me! And _don't_ speak so loud! _Mamma_ might hear!

_Spurrell_ (_puzzled_). What if she did? Why, I thought her la--your mother _knew_!

_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). He actually thinks I should tell mamma!

Oh, how _dense_ he is! (_Aloud._) Yes--yes--of _course_ she knows--but--but you might _wake_ her! And--and please don't allude to it again--to me or--or any one. (_To herself._) That I should have to beg him to be silent like this! But what can I _do_? Goodness only knows _what_ he mightn't say, if I don't warn him!

_Spurrell_ (_nettled_). I don't mind _who_ knows. _I'm_ not ashamed of it, Lady Maisie--whatever you may be!

_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself, exasperated_). He dares to imply that _I_'ve done something to be ashamed of! (_Aloud, haughtily._) I'm _not_ ashamed--why _should_ I be? Only--oh, can't you _really_ understand that--that one may do things which one wouldn't care to be reminded of publicly? I don't _wish_ it--isn't _that_ enough?

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I see what she's at now--doesn't want it to come out that she's travelled down here with a vet! (_Aloud, stiffly._) A lady's wish is enough for _me_ at any time. If you're sorry for having gone out of your way to be friendly, why, I'm not the person to take advantage of it. I hope I know how to behave.

[_He takes refuge in offended silence._

_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). Why did I say anything at all! I've only made things worse--I've let him see that he _has_ an advantage. And he's certain to use it sooner or later--unless I am civil to him. I've offended him now--and I shall _have_ to make it up with him!

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I thought all along she didn't seem as chummy as her mother--but to turn round on me like this!

_Lady Cantire_ (_waking up_). Well, Mr. Andromeda, I should have thought you and my daughter might have found _some_ subject in common; but I haven't heard a word from either of you since we left the station.

_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). That's _some_ comfort! (_Aloud._) You must have had a nap, mamma. We--we _have_ been talking.

_Spurrell._ Oh yes, we _have_ been talking, I can a.s.sure you, Lady Cantire!

_Lady Cantire._ Dear me. Well, Maisie, I hope the conversation was entertaining?

_Lady Maisie._ M--most entertaining, mamma!

_Lady Cantire._ I'm quite sorry I missed it. (_The omnibus stops._) Wyvern at last! But _what_ a journey it's been, to be sure!

_Spurrell_ (_to himself_). I should just think it had. I've never been so taken up and put down in all my life! But it's over now; and, thank goodness, I'm not likely to see any more of 'em!

[_He gets out with alacrity._

PART VI

ROUND PEGS IN SQUARE HOLES

_In the Entrance Hall at Wyvern._

_Tredwell_ (_to_ Lady CANTIRE). This way, if you please, my lady. Her ladys.h.i.+p is in the Hamber Boudwore.

_Lady Cantire._ Wait. (_She looks round._) What has become of that young Mr. Androm----? (_Perceiving_ SPURRELL, _who has been modestly endeavouring to efface himself_.) Ah, _there_ he is! Now, come along, and be presented to my sister-in-law. She'll be enchanted to know you!

_Spurrell._ But indeed, my lady, I--I think I'd better wait till she sends for me.

_Lady Cantire._ Wait? Fiddlesticks! What! A famous young man like you!

Remember _Andromeda_, and don't make yourself so ridiculous!

_Spurrell_ (_miserably_). Well, Lady Cantire, if her ladys.h.i.+p _says_ anything, I hope you'll bear me out that it wasn't----

_Lady Cantire._ Bear you out? My good young man, you seem to need somebody to bear you _in_! Come, you are under _my_ wing. _I_ answer for your welcome--so do as you're told.

_Spurrell_ (_to himself, as he follows resignedly_). It's my belief there'll be a jolly row when I _do_ go in; but it's not my fault!

_Tredwell_ (_opening the door of the Amber Boudoir_). Lady Cantire and Lady Maisie Mull (_To_ SPURRELL.) What name, if you please, sir?

[Ill.u.s.tration: "WHAT NAME, IF YOU PLEASE, SIR?"]