I mind nothing but my duties.
THE BISHOP. You know everybody now, I think.
MRS GEORGE [turning to the railed chair] Who's this?
THE BISHOP. Oh, I beg your pardon, Cecil. Mr Sykes. The
bridegroom.
MRS GEORGE [to Sykes] Adorned for the sacrifice, arnt you?
SYKES. It seems doubtful whether there is going to be any
sacrifice.
MRS GEORGE. Well, I want to talk to the women first. Shall we go
upstairs and look at the presents and dresses?
MRS BRIDGENORTH. If you wish, certainly.
REGINALD. But the men want to hear what you have to say too.
MRS GEORGE. I'll talk to them afterwards: one by one.
HOTCHKISS [to himself] Great heavens!
MRS BRIDGENORTH. This way, Mrs Collins. [She leads the way out
through the tower, followed by Mrs George, Lesbia, Leo, and
Edith].
THE BISHOP. Shall we try to get through the last batch of letters
whilst they are away, Soames?
SOAMES. Yes, certainly. [To Hotchkiss, who is in his way] Excuse
me.
The Bishop and Soames go into the study, disturbing Hotchkiss,
who, plunged in a strange reverie, has forgotten where he is.
Awakened by Soames, he stares distractedly; then, with sudden
resolution, goes swiftly to the middle of the kitchen.
HOTCHKISS. Cecil.
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