_Lucas._ Such as an apology----
[DOLLY _utters a contemptuous exclamation._
_Matt._ Will you give me your word of honor never to see Mrs. Sturgess again?
_Lucas._ Yes.
_Matt._ Or write to her?
_Lucas._ Yes.
_Matt._ The word of honour of an English gentleman used to mean something, Lu.
_Lucas._ It does now, Uncle Matt!
_Matt._ [_Shakes hands with him heartily._] Then I'll take it. Now be off as quickly as you can and let us make the best of it for you and her.
_Lucas._ Thanks. Good-bye!
_Matt._ Good-bye!
[LUCAS _crosses to_ DOLLY, _offers his hand._
_Dolly._ No, Lu. If Renie gets out of this safely and if you behave yourself, I'll shake hands with you when you come back from India.
_Lucas._ You're taking this too seriously--you're taking it far too seriously! [_Exit._
_Matt._ We're making a splendid start again for the New Year!
_Dolly._ I hope this will be a lesson for Renie!
_Matt._ I hope so. How about yourself?
_Dolly._ What do you mean?
_Matt._ I put the sovereign in, but--you've got a few more bills, eh?
_Dolly._ Just a few oddments.
_Matt._ How much?
_Dolly._ I don't know. Dad----
_Matt._ Well?
_Dolly._ Now that South Africans have gone up at last, and you won that splendid coup on them last week----
_Matt._ Well?
_Dolly._ You couldn't lend me--a few hundreds--till my allowance comes due? Just a few hundreds----
_Matt._ [_In a low reproachful tone, shaking his head._] What? What?
What? Sad! Sad! Sad!!
_Dolly._ [_Listens._] There's Harry! You will help me, Dad--you will?
_Matt._ I'll see what I can do.
HARRY _enters cheerfully._
_Harry._ That's all right, Doll! There's the address.
[_Giving a slip of paper._
_Dolly._ Thanks, dear.
_Harry._ And now about these mere oddments?
_Dolly._ Not now, dear.
_Harry._ Yes, dear, now. [_Very sternly._] This instant!
_Dolly._ Harry, you're going to lose your temper----
_Harry._ No. I'm going to keep a firm guard on it, but [_very sternly_]
let me see those bills.
_Dolly._ [_Creeps frightened up to the desk._] I'm sure you're going to lose your temper.
[_Opens the desk._
_Harry._ [_Firmly._] No. I'm quite calm. Whose bill is that? [_She hands him one timorously._] Fulks and Garner! Artist Furriers! More artists!
[_looks at total_]--one hundred and twenty-four pounds. Well, I'm----
_Dolly._ Ah, Jobling!
_Harry._ I should think I am Jobling. And you said you'd never enter their shop again!
_Dolly._ I never meant it, but this time it was absolutely necessary----
_Harry._ Necessary?
_Dolly._ Yes--you see the chief item----
_Harry._ [_Reads._] Chinchilla toque, coat, m.u.f.f and boa--eighty guineas--eighty guineas----
_Dolly._ I got them as a surprise for you when we go South next week.