The general.  The Beadle!  What the devil did he do that for?

Sykes.  Oh, I dont know:  I didnt make any bargain with him. [To
Mrs George] How much ought I to give him, Mrs Collins?

Mrs George.  Five shillings. [To the Bishop] I want to rest for a moment:  there! in your study.  I saw it here [she touches her forehead].

The bishop [opening the study door for her] By all means.  Turn my brother out if he disturbs you.  Soames:  bring the letters out here.

Sykes.  He wont be offended at my offering it, will he?

Mrs George.  Not he!  He touches children with the mace to cure them of ringworm for fourpence apiece. [She goes into the study.  Soames follows her].

The general.  Well, Edith, I’m a little disappointed, I must say.  However, I’m glad it was done by somebody in a public uniform.

Mrs Bridgenorth and Lesbia come in through the tower.  Mrs Bridgenorth makes for the Bishop.  He goes to her, and they meet near the oak chest.  Lesbia comes between Sykes and Edith.

The bishop.  Alice, my love, theyre married.

Mrs Bridgenorth [placidly] Oh, well, thats all right.  Better tell
Collins.

Soames comes back from the study with his writing materials.  He seats himself at the nearest end of the table and goes on with his work.  Hotchkiss sits down in the next chair round the table corner, with his back to him.

Lesbia.  You have both given in, have you?

Edith.  Not at all.  We have provided for everything.

Soames.  How?

Edith.  Before going to the church, we went to the office of that insurance company—­whats its name, Cecil?

Sykes.  The British Family Insurance Corporation.  It insures you against poor relations and all sorts of family contingencies.

Edith.  It has consented to insure Cecil against libel actions brought against him on my account.  It will give us specially low terms because I am a Bishop’s daughter.

Sykes.  And I have given Edie my solemn word that if I ever commit a crime I’ll knock her down before a witness and go off to Brighton with another lady.

Lesbia.  Thats what you call providing for everything! [She goes to the middle of the table on the garden side and sits down].

Leo.  Do make him see there are no worms before he knocks you down, Edith.  Wheres Rejjy?

Reginald [coming in from the study] Here.  Whats the matter?

Leo [springing up and flouncing round to him] Whats the matter!  You may well ask.  While Edie and Cecil were at the insurance office I took a taxy and went off to your lodgings; and a nice mess I found everything in.  Your clothes are in a disgraceful state.  Your liver pad has been made into a kettle-holder.  Youre no more fit to be left to yourself than a one-year old baby.