er maid_.

MISS HUDDLE.

[_To_ MISS MOON] What time is it, dear?

MISS MOON.

[_Putting her table in order._] Half-past one. Lunch-time.

MISS HUDDLE.

Thought so; I've sech a vacancy.

[MISS HUDDLE _goes out, carrying her bowl and towel, as_ FRANK
POLLITT--"VALMA"--_appears at the window on the left--a well, if rather
showily, dressed young fellow, wearing a frock coat, white waistcoat,
and patent-leather boots. He is handsome in a commonplace way, and,
though stilted and self-conscious, earnest in speech and bearing._

POLLITT.

[_Looking in._] Excuse me--

MISS MOON.

[_Startled._] Oh! oh, Mr. Valma!

POLLITT.

[_Entering._] Is Miss Fullgarney in the way?

MISS MOON.

[_Gazing at him in modest admiration._] She's with a lady in the private
room, Mr. Valma.

[_The door in the partition opens._

SOPHY.

[_From the private room._] Oh, no, madam, I promise I won't forget.
Certainly not, I take too much interest in your daughter's nails for
that.

MISS MOON.

This is her.

[_A middle-aged lady enters from the private room, followed by_ SOPHY
FULLGARNEY. _The customer pays at the desk while_ SOPHY _rattles on._
SOPHY _is a pretty, elegant, innocently vulgar, fascinating young woman
of six-and-twenty._

SOPHY.

[_With the air of the proprietress of a prosperous establishment._] Oh,
yes, it did slip my memory to come on Thursday, didn't it? The truth is
I had a most racking head, a thing I never have--well, I oughtn't to say
never have, ought I? [_To_ MISS LIMBIRD.] Now, Miss Limbird, see that
two pots of Creme de Mimosa are posted to Mrs. Arment, Carlos Place; and
book me, please--_me_--you thoroughly understand?--to attend upon Miss
Arment to-morrow evening at seven. [_Accompanying the customer, who now
withdraws._] To-morrow evening at seven--without fail. [_Raising her
voice._] The door, Miss Claridge. Good morning, madam. Good afternoon.

[_The door-gong sounds._

SOPHY.

Come, girls, you can get to your lunches.

[MISS LIMBIRD _leaves her desk and goes out._

MISS MOON.

Here's Mr. Valma, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

[_With a little gasp._] Mr. Valma. [_Approaching him._] How do you do?

POLLITT.

[_Advancing._] Pardon me for the liberty I have taken in again crossing
the leads.

SOPHY.

[_Looking away from him._] No liberty at all.

POLLITT.

I desire a few words with you, Miss Fullgarney, and it struck me that at
this time of the day--

SOPHY.

Yes, there's no