MESSITER.
Names and addresses, please.
LUKYN.
Officer--my good fellow--tell me now--er--um--at the present moment, what are you most in want of?
MESSITER.
These two ladies" names and addresses, please. Be quick, Colonel.
[_Pointing to AGATHA POSKET._] That lady first.
LUKYN.
Christian names--er--ah--er--Alice Emmeline.
MESSITER.
[_Writing._] Alice Emmeline. Surname?
LUKYN.
Er--um--Fitzgerald--101, Wilton Street, Piccadilly.
MESSITER.
Single lady?
LUKYN.
Quite.
MESSITER.
Very good, sir.
AGATHA POSKET.
[_To LUKYN, tearfully._] Oh, thank you, such a nice address too.
MESSITER.
[_To VALE._] Now, Captain, please--that lady.
VALE.
[_Who has been re-a.s.suring CHARLOTTE._] Haw! ha! this lady is--ah--um--the other lady"s sister.
MESSITER.
Single lady, sir?
VALE.
Certainly.
MESSITER.
[_Writing._] Christian name, Captain?
VALE.
Ah--um--Harriett.
MESSITER.
[_Writing._] Surname.
VALE.
Er--Macnamara.
MESSITER.
[_With a grim smile._] Quite so. Lives with her sister, of course, sir?
VALE.
Of course.
MESSITER.
Where at, sir?
VALE.
Albert Mansions, Victoria Street.
CHARLOTTE.
[_To VALE._] Oh, thank you, I always fancied that spot.
MESSITER.
Very much obliged, gentlemen,
LUKYN.
[_Who has listened to VALE"S answers in helpless horror._] By George, well out of it!