be photographed with our children
grouped round us.

WESTRIP.

[_To_ SIR RANDLE.] Then there's the telegram from the _Daily Monitor_,
Sir Randle----

SIR RANDLE.

[_Puffing himself out._] Ah, yes! The editor solicits my views
upon--what is the subject of the discussion which is being carried on
in his admirable journal, Mr. Westrip?----

WESTRIP.

"Should Women Marry under Thirty?"

SIR RANDLE.

H'm! [_Musingly._] Should Women Marry under Thirty? [_To_ WESTRIP.]
Reply paid?

WESTRIP.

Forty-eight words.

SIR RANDLE.

[_Rising and strolling across to_ LADY FILSON, _as if seeking for
inspiration._] Should Women Marry under Thirty? [_Humming._] H'm, h'm,
h'm--! [_To_ LADY FILSON.] Winnie----?

LADY FILSON.

[_Looking up at him._] I was considerably under thirty when _we_
married, Randle.

SIR RANDLE.

[_Triumphantly._] Ha! [_Chuckling._] Ho, ho, ho! Capital! Ho, ho, ho!
[_Patting_ LADY FILSON_'s shoulder._] Clever! Clever! [_To_ WESTRIP,
_grandly._] There we have my response to the inquiry, Mr. Westrip.
[_Closing his eyes again._] Sir Randle Filson's views are best
expressed by the statement that Lady Filson was considerably under
thirty when she did him the honour of--er--becoming his wife.

WESTRIP.

Excellent, sir.

SIR RANDLE.

[_Opening his eyes._] Pray amplify that in graceful language, Mr.
Westrip--restricting yourself to forty-eight words--[_He breaks off,
interrupted by the appearance of_ OTTOLINE _at the glazed door._] Ah,
my darling!

OTTOLINE.

Good morning, Dad. [_To_ WESTRIP.] Good morning.

WESTRIP.

[_Shyly._] Good morning.

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ SIR RANDLE_--advancing a few steps, but leaving the door open._]
Are you and mother busy?

SIR RANDLE.

Not at all.

LADY FILSON.

[_Who has turned in her chair at_ OTTOLINE_'s entrance._] Not at all,
Otto.

SIR RANDLE.

[_To_ WESTRIP.] I will join you in the library, Mr. Westrip. [WESTRIP
_withdraws at the door on the left, and_ SIR RANDLE _goes to_ OT