HOTCHKISS. I understand. Your doors are closed to me.
REGINALD [quickly] Oh no. Dont be hasty. I think I should like
you to drop in after a while, you know. She gets so cross and
upset when theres nobody to liven up the house a bit.
HOTCHKISS. I'll do my best.
REGINALD [relieved] Righto. You wont mind, old chap, do you?
HOTCHKISS. It's Fate. Ive touched coal; and my hands are black;
but theyre clean. So long, Rejjy. [They shake hands; and Reginald
goes into the garden to collect Boxer].
COLLINS. Excuse me, sir; but do you stay to breakfast? Your name
is on one of the covers; and I should like to change it if youre
not remaining.
HOTCHKISS. How do I know? Is my destiny any longer in my own
hands? Go: ask SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED.
COLLINS [awestruck] Has Mrs George taken a fancy to you, sir?
HOTCHKISS. Would she had! Worse, man, worse: Ive taken a fancy to
Mrs George.
COLLINS. Dont despair, sir: if George likes your conversation
youll find their house a very pleasant one--livelier than Mr
Reginald's was, I daresay.
HOTCHKISS [calling] Polly.
COLLINS [promptly] Oh, if it's come to Polly already, sir, I
should say you were all right.
Mrs George appears at the door of the study.
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