You don"t prove it in your own instance, Captain Vale.
VALE.
That"s a verbal quibble, sir.
[_They talk angrily._
AGATHA POSKET.
[_To CHARLOTTE._] It"s frightfully late. Tell him to write to you.
CHARLOTTE.
I must speak to him to-night; life is too short for letters.
AGATHA POSKET.
Then he can telegraph.
CHARLOTTE.
Half-penny a word and he has nothing but his pay.
AGATHA POSKET.
Very well, then, Lady Jenkins has a telephone. I"ll take you there to tea to-morrow. If he loves you, tell him to ring up 1338091.
CHARLOTTE.
You thoughtful angel!
LUKYN.
Mrs. Posket--Miss Verrinder--ahem--we----
VALE.
Colonel Lukyn and myself----
LUKYN.
Captain Vale and I fear that we have been betrayed, in a moment of----
VALE.
Natural irritation.
LUKYN.
Natural irritation, into the atrocious impropriety of differing----
VALE.
Before ladies.
LUKYN.
Charming ladies----
VALE.
We beg your pardon--Lukyn!
LUKYN.
Vale. [_They grasp hands._] Mrs. Posket, I am now going out to hail a cab.
AGATHA POSKET.
Pray do.
LUKYN.
Miss Verrinder, the process will occupy five minutes.
VALE.
[_Giving his hat to LUKYN._] Lukyn, I return your kindness--my hat.
LUKYN.
Thank you, my boy.
[_LUKYN puts on VALE"S hat, which is much too small for him. As he is going out there is a knock at the door; he opens it; BLOND is outside._
BLOND.
Colonel, it is ten minutes past the time of closing, may I ask you to dismiss your party?
LUKYN.
Pooh! Isn"t this a free country?
[_He goes out._
BLOND.
Yes, you are free to go home, Colonel. I shall get into trouble.