these fellows at last. Excuse my violence; but discipline is
absolutely necessary in dealing with the lower middle classes.

THE LADY. Serve the insolent creature right! Look I have found
you a beautiful envelope for the list, an unmistakable lady's
envelope. [She puts the sham list into her envelope and hands it
to him.]

AUGUSTUS. Excellent. Really very clever of you. [Slyly.] Come:
would you like to have a peep at the list [beginning to take the
blank paper from the envelope]?

THE LADY [on the brink of detection]. No no. Oh, please, no.

AUGUSTUS. Why? It won't bite you [drawing it out further.]

THE LADY [snatching at his hand]. Stop. Remember: if there should
be an inquiry, you must be able to swear that you never showed
that list to a mortal soul.

AUGUSTUS. Oh, that is a mere form. If you are really curious--

THE LADY. I am not. I couldn't bear to look at it. One of my
dearest friends was blown to pieces by an aircraft gun; and since
then I have never been able to think of one without horror.

AUGUSTUS. You mean it was a real gun, and actually went off. How
sad! how sad! [He pushes the sham list back into the envelope,
and pockets it.]