Part 19 (1/2)

[Bowing.] Everything.

DOWAGER.

I have a motive for asking. I and my family accompany Sir Julian and Lady Twombley to lend weight and support.

MR. MELTON.

[To SIR JULIAN.] You leave here at twelve, reaching the new street at half-past. You speak from the cl.u.s.ter of lamps by St. Jude's Church.

DOWAGER.

Your speech will be terse, elegant, and vigorous, I hope, Julian?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I hope so. Have you written it, Melton? [MELTON hands him the sheets of paper.] Thank you. The usual thing, I suppose?

MR. MELTON.

Quite, quite.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Thank you. There's nothing like the usual thing. [Referring to the speech.] ”By opening up these majestic avenues London takes beer----”

MR. MELTON.

Air.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I beg your pardon. ”----takes air into her system and keeps her place in the race with her sister cities.” Excellent.

DOWAGER.

Who will throw the bottle?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

No one, I hope.

MR. MELTON.

You are thinking of the christening of a s.h.i.+p, Lady Drumdurris.

DOWAGER.

Pardon me.

MR. MELTON.