SCENE VI.--_The Breakfast-room at Hornbeam Lodge.

TIME--8.40 A.M. _on Saturday morning_. Mrs. TOOVEY _is alone_, _making the tea_.

_Mrs. Toovey_ (_to herself_). I cannot think what has come to THEOPHILUS. He has come down late for prayers every morning this week. Such a bad example for any household, and Cook is beginning to notice it--I could see it in her eye as she came in. He is so strange in his manner, too; if I did not know he was absolutely incapable of--but _why_ did he secrete that abominable programme of CHARLES'S? He _said_ he kept it with a view to making inquiries, but I have heard nothing about them since. (_Aloud_, _to_ PH[OE]BE, _who brings in dishes and two letters_.) Oh, the post, PH[OE]BE? it's late this morning. (PH[OE]BE _goes out_.) One for Pa, and one for me--from ALTHEA--it was certainly time she wrote. (_Reading her letter._) "Delightful visit ... the MERRIDEWS so kind ... so much to see and do ... back on Monday ... no time for more at present." Not a word of where she's been or what she's seen--not at _all_ the letter a girl should write to her mother! I wonder whom Pa's letter is from? (_She turns it over._) What's this? "Eldorado Palace of Varieties" printed on the flap! Why, that's CHARLES'S music-hall! Then Pa _has_ been making inquiries after all. As CHARLES'S aunt I have a right to---- (_She is about to open the envelope._) No, I'd better not, I hear Pa's hum--he will be sure to tell me what they say.

_Mr. Toovey enters_ (_humming, to give himself a countenance_). Ha, so you've had prayers without me? Quite right--quite right.

_Mrs. Toov._ (_severely_). Anything _but_ right, Pa. You ought to have been down long ago. I heard you brushing your hair as I went out.

_Mr. Toov._ (_feebly_). It was very tiresome, my love, but my collar-stud got under the wardrobe, and I couldn't get it out for ever so long.

_Mrs. Toov._ Your things have taken to behave in a very extraordinary manner, Pa. Yesterday it was your braces!

_Mr. Toov._ I--I believe it _was_ my braces yesterday. Ah well, we must bear with these little vexations--bear with them! (_To himself._) A letter for me? From the Eldorado! It's the box! I--I hoped Mr. CURPHEW had forgotten.

[_He thrusts it into his pocket unopened, in a flurry._

_Mrs. Toov._ Is there any reason why you shouldn't read your letter, Pa? It may be of importance.

_Mr. Toov._ I--I don't think it is, my love--particularly. It--it will keep till after breakfast. What is this--kedgeree? Ha! I've come down with quite an appetite--quite a famous appetite!

[_He pecks at his kedgeree ostentatiously._

_Mrs. Toov._ Perhaps I'd better ring and have two more eggs boiled if you're so hungry as all that, Pa?

_Mr. Toov._ (_in terror at this suggestion_). Not for me, my love, not for me. I--I've made an excellent breakfast!

_Mrs. Toov._ Then now, Pa, perhaps you will be at leisure to read your letter. I am curious to know what correspondence you can possibly have with an Eldorado Palace.

_Mr. Toov._ (_to himself_). Oh, dear me, she's seen the flap! Why do they put the name outside--so thoughtless of them! (_He opens the letter._) Yes, it _is_ the order. I _can't_ show it to CORNELIA! (_Aloud._) I--I told you I was making inquiries.

_Mrs. Toov._ About CHARLES'S habits? So you've written to the Manager, without consulting me! Well--what does he say?

_Mr. Toov._ (_to himself_). I don't like these deceptions--but I _must_ consider poor CHARLES. (_Aloud._) Oh--hum--very little, my love, very little indeed, but satisfactory--most satisfactory--he's no complaint to make of CHARLES--none whatever!

_Mrs. Toov._ As if it was likely you would get the truth from such a tainted source! Let me see his letter.

_Mr. Toov._ (_pocketing the letter again, hastily_). No, my dear love, you must excuse me--but this is a private and confidential communication, and--and, in common fairness to CHARLES--I'll trouble you for another cup of tea. (_To himself._) It's for this very night. I've a great mind not to go. How am I to make an excuse for getting away? (_Aloud._) I've half a mind to run up some time, and--and look in on CHARLES.

_Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). If CHARLES is misconducting himself, I ought to know--and I _will_, sooner or later. I'm sure THEOPHILUS is keeping something from me. (_Aloud._) I've only put in one lump, Pa. You may find him at home if you went up this afternoon.

_Mr. Toov._ (_relieved_). An excellent suggestion, my love. I _will_ go this afternoon. He--he might ask me to stay and dine with him; so if--if I don't come back, you'll know where I am--eh? You won't be anxious?

_Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). He's trying to spare me, but I can see he's _most_ uneasy about CHARLES. (_Aloud._) Well, Pa, I don't like the idea of your dining out without me--it will be the first time for years--but still, I shall have to be away myself this evening; there's a special meeting of the Zenana Mission Committee, and Mrs. CUMBERBATCH made such a point of my attending--so, if you feel you really _ought_ to see CHARLES----

_Mr. Toov._ Oh. I _do_, my dear. He--he wants looking after. And perhaps, if I could have a little quiet, serious talk with him, after dinner--or over a game of draughts. (_To himself._) What a dissembler I've become; but I _do_ mean to look in on CHARLES, before I go to this Eldorado place, and there _may_ be time for a game of draughts!

_Mrs. Toov._ You would learn more, THEOPHILUS, by putting a few questions to his landlady. But remember, when you come back, I shall insist on being told everything--_everything_, mind!

_Mr. Toov._ Oh, of course, my love, of course. (_To himself._) If my visit proves satisfactory, I--I might tell her. It will depend on how I feel--entirely on how I feel.

END OF SCENE VI.