THE LADY. Ah! [Great sigh of relief]. And now, Lord Augustus, I
have taken up too much of your valuable time. Goodbye.

AUGUSTUS. What! Must you go?

THE LADY. You are so busy.

AUGUSTUS. Yes; but not before lunch, you know. I never can do
much before lunch. And I'm no good at all in the afternoon. From
five to six is my real working time. Must you really go?

THE LADY. I must, really. I have done my business very
satisfactorily. Thank you ever so much [she proffers her hand].

AUGUSTUS [shaking it affectionately as he leads her to the door,
but fast pressing the bell button with his left hand]. Goodbye.
Goodbye. So sorry to lose you. Kind of you to come; but there was
no real danger. You see, my dear little lady, all this talk about
war saving, and secrecy, and keeping the blinds down at night,
and so forth, is all very well; but unless it's carried out with
intelligence, believe me, you may waste a pound to save a penny;
you may let out all sorts of secrets to the enemy; you may guide
the Zeppelins right on to your own chimneys. That's where the
ability of the governing class comes in. Shall the fellow call a
taxi for you?

THE LADY. No, thanks: I prefer walking. Goodbye. Again, many,
many thanks.

She goes out. Augustus returns to the writing-table smiling, and