MRS. UPJOHN.
[_All agog._] Yes, Lil? [_LILY seats herself upon the settee without speaking._] Yes, dearie; yes? [_Advancing to the centre table._] "Ave they given you your choice?
LILY.
[_Dully._] No; they"ve given me no choice.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Advancing further._] Wot----?
LILY.
Nicko"s going out to South Africa, mother.
MRS. UPJOHN.
South Africa!
LILY.
Well, to Rhodesia.
MRS. UPJOHN.
Then you"re free, Lil!
LILY.
No, I"m not.
MRS. UPJOHN.
Not!
LILY.
Nicko-- Nicko"s handed me over, mother.
MRS. UPJOHN.
"Anded you over!
LILY.
To-- to Lord Farncombe.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Gasping._] An" you an" the young gentleman----!
LILY.
I-- I suppose so.
MRS. UPJOHN.
Oh--! [_Sinking into the arm chair by the centre table._] Oh, the dear Captain!
LILY.
[_Transferring herself from the settee to MRS. UPJOHN"S lap._] Oh! Oh!
Oh! [_Putting her arms round MRS. UPJOHN"S neck._] Oh, poor Nicko!
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Soothingly._] "E"ll "ave "is reward, Lil; "e"ll "ave "is reward "ereafter.
LILY.
And poor Carlton Smythe! Oh, poor Carlton!
MRS. UPJOHN.
Poor Carlton----?
LILY.
He"s losing every one of his best girls, mother. Gwennie Harker-- Maidie Trevail-- Eva Shafto-- and now _me_! Oh, poor Carlton!
MRS. UPJOHN.
"Ush, dearie; "ush! Don"t consider _"im_! [_Rocking LILY to and fro like a baby._] Think-- think wot a lot o" good you"re all doin" to the aristocracy!
[_The door on the left opens and JIMMIE and ROPER look in gleefully and then tiptoe towards LILY and MRS. UPJOHN._
THE END.