Just because I beat him at the
poll he took a shabby revenge; he congratulated me in French, a
language I haven't taken the trouble to master.
MAGGIE [becoming a little taller]. Would it help you, John, if you
were to marry a woman that could speak French?
DAVID [quickly]. Not at all.
MAGGIE [gloriously]. Mon cher Jean, laissez-moi parler le francais,
voulez-vous un interprete?
JOHN. Hullo!
MAGGIE. Je suis la soeur francaise de mes deux freres ecossais.
DAVID [worshipping her]. She's been learning French.
JOHN [lightly]. Well done.
MAGGIE [grandly]. They're arriving.
ALICK. Who?
MAGGIE. Our guests. This is London, and Mrs. John Shand is giving her
first reception. [Airily] Have I told you, darling, who are coming
to-night? There's that dear Sir Peregrine. [To ALICK] Sir Peregrine,
this is a pleasure. Avez-vous...So sorry we beat you at the poll.
JOHN. I'm doubting the baronet would sit on you, Maggie.
MAGGIE. I've invited a lord to sit on the baronet. Voila!
DAVID [delighted]. You thing! You'll find the lords expensive.
MAGGIE. Just a little cheap lord. [JAMES enters importantly.] My dear
Lord Cheap, this is kind of you.
[JAMES hopes that MAGGIE's reason is not unbalanced.]
DAVID [who really ought to have had education]. How de doo, Cheap?
JAMES [bewildered]. Maggie---
MAGGIE. Yes, do call me Maggie.
ALICK [grinning].
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