_His Friend_ (_unkindly--as the F.S. comes down in the form of a St.
Andrew's Cross_). Y-yes. More like a Spread Eagle though, ain't it?

_A Pretty Girl_ (_to Mr. ACKMEY, who has been privileged to take
charge of herself and her plain Sister_). Do come and tell me if I'm
doing it right, Mr. ACKMEY. You _said_ you'd go round with me!

_The Plain S._ How can you be so _selfish_, FLORRIE? You've had ever
so much more practice than _I_ have! Mr. ACKMEY, I wish you'd look
at my left boot--it _will_ go like that. Is it my ankle--or what? And
this strap _is_ hurting me so! Couldn't you loosen it, or take me back
to the man, or something? FLORRIE can get on quite well alone, can't
she?

_Mr. A._ (_temporising feebly_). Er--suppose I give _each_ of you a
hand, eh?

_The Plain S._ No; I can't go along fast, like you and LAURA. You
promised to look after me, and I'm perfectly helpless alone!

_The Pretty S._ Then, am I to go by myself, Mr. ACKMEY?

_Mr. A._ I--I think--just for a little, if you don't mind!

_The Pretty S._ Mind? Not a bit! There's CLARA WILLOUGHBY and her
brother on the next ring, I'll go over to them. Take good care of
ALICE, Mr. ACKMET. Good-bye for the present.

[_She goes; ALICE doesn't think Mr. A. is "nearly so nice