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THE AVIATOR.I’m really very sorry. I’m afraid Ive knocked your vinery into a cocked hat. (Effusively) You dont mind, do you?

TARLETON.Not a bit. Come in and have some tea. Stay to dinner. Stay over the week-end. All my life Ive wanted to fly.

THE AVIATOR.[taking off his goggles] Youre really more than kind.

BENTLEY. Why, its Joey Percival.

PERCIVAL. Hallo, Ben! That you?

TARLETON.What! The man with three fathers!

PERCIVAL. Oh! has Ben been talking about me?

TARLETON.Consider yourself as one of the family–if you will do me the honor. And your friend too. Wheres your friend?

PERCIVAL. Oh, by the way! before he comes in: let me explain. I dont know him.

TARLETON.Eh?

PERCIVAL. Havnt even looked at him. I’m trying to make a club record with a passenger. The club supplied the passenger. He just got in; and Ive been too busy handling the aeroplane to look at him. I havnt said a word to him; and I cant answer for him socially; but hes an ideal passenger for a flyer. He saved me from a smash.

LORD SUMMERHAYS. I saw it. It was extraordinary. When you were thrown out he held on to the top bar with one hand. You came past him in the air, going straight for the glass. He caught you and turned you off into the flower bed, and then lighted beside you like a bird.

PERCIVAL. How he kept his head I cant imagine. Frankly, I didnt.

[The Passenger, also begoggled, comes in through the pavilion with Johnny and the two ladies. The Passenger comes between Percival and Tarleton, Mrs Tarleton between Lord Summerhays and her husband, Hypatia between Percival and Bentley, and Johnny to Bentley’s right.]

TARLETON.Just discussing your prowess, my dear sir. Magnificent. Youll stay to dinner. Youll stay the night. Stay over the week. The Chickabiddy will be delighted.

MRS TARLETON. Wont you take off your goggles and have some tea?

[The Passenger begins to remove the goggles.]

TARLETON.Do. Have a wash. Johnny: take the gentleman to your room: I’ll look after Mr Percival. They must–

[By this time the passenger has got the goggles off, and stands revealed as a remarkably good-looking woman.]

 

 MRS TARLETON. |  Well I never!!!           |
 

 |                     |
 

 BENTLEY.   |  [in a whisper] Oh, I say!      |
 

 |                     |
 

 JOHNNY.   |  By George!              |
 

 |                     | [All
 

 LORD SUMMERHAYS|  A lady!               | to-
 

 |                     | gether.]
 

 HYPATIA.   |  A woman!              |
 

 |                     |
 

 TARLETON.  |  [to Percival]  You never told me--  |
 

 |                     |
 

 PERCIVAL.  |  I hadnt the least idea--       |