ghastly trick. If you only knew what tortures I’ve suffered!
MRS. DOT.
He isn’t really serious, Aunt Eliza?
AUNT ELIZA.
[_Smiling._] Upon my soul, it looks very much like it.
BLENKINSOP.
What did you expect? You’ve played on my heart-strings as though they
were an instrument that had no feeling. You’ve put a caress into every
tone of your voice.
MRS. DOT.
[_Ruefully._] Of course, I am fascinating. I can’t deny that.
BLENKINSOP.
When you touched my hand, every nerve of my body thrilled.
MRS. DOT.
You’re not really in love with me?
BLENKINSOP.
Passionately.
MRS. DOT.
You’re ridiculous, James Blenkinsop.
BLENKINSOP.
I was a fool. I played with fire, and I never dreamed I’d burn myself.
MRS. DOT.
But you mustn’t be in love with me. I won’t hear of it.
BLENKINSOP.
It’s too late to say that now. I adore you.
MRS. DOT.
But what on earth’s to be done?
BLENKINSOP.
You must marry me.
MRS. DOT.
Nothing will induce me to do anything of the sort.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Going up to her with outstretched arms._] You can’t realise the wealth
of tenderness and affection which I’ll lavish upon you.
MRS. DOT.
Go away! Don’t come near me.
BLENKINSOP.
Why should you care for Gerald? Do you think if he loved you, he would
let a trifling engagement with somebody else stand in the way?
MRS. DOT.
The fact is that men are never to be trusted.
BLENKINSOP.
I can’t live without you now. I’ll give up my whole life to make you
happy.
MRS. DOT.
But I’m in love with Gerald. I’m not in love with you. I shall never be
in love with you.
BLENKINSOP.
You owe me something for all the agony you’ve made me endure. Dot,
remember that licence. It was bought in jest, but the Archbishop of
Canterbury was in earnest.
MRS. DOT.
But my dear James, for heaven’s sake be reasonable. You know just as
well as I do that you’re not a marrying man.
BLENKINSOP.
Give me the chance, and you’ll see.
MRS. DOT.
I’m sure you wouldn’t like me. I’m horrid really.
BLENKINSOP.
I know that you’re full of faults, but, bless you, I love them all.
MRS. DOT.
I’ve got a beastly temper.
BLENKINSOP.
I dote upon you when I see your eyes flash with anger.
MRS. DOT.
I’m awfully extravagant, and if the Government brings in temperance
legislation I shall be ruined.
BLENKINSOP.
I’m rich. I should look upon it as the greatest happiness to spend my
last penny to gratify your smallest wish.
MRS. DOT.
I won’t marry you. I won’t marry you. I won’t!
BLENKINSOP.
Dot, Dot!
[_He catches her in his arms and kisses her. At this moment_ GERALD
_comes in_, MRS. DOT _breaks away from_ BLENKINSOP. _There is an
awkward pause._
MRS. DOT.
[_To_ GERALD.] I thought you were on the river.
GERALD.
Hang the river!
[_She goes to the door, which_ BLENKINSOP _opens for her. She goes
out. As_ AUNT ELIZA _follows, he speaks to her in a low tone_.
BLENKINSOP.
There’s passion for you.
AUNT ELIZA.
You brutes, you can all do it. You positively made my heart beat.
[_She goes out._
GERALD.
What did Miss MacGregor say?
BLENKINSOP.
A vague suggestion of bigamy if I understood correctly.
GERALD.
[_Frigidly._] I’m afraid I came at an inopportune moment.
BLENKINSOP.
It appears to be one of your happy little ways.
GERALD.
Every one seems to kiss every one else in this house.
BLENKINSOP.
[_With effrontery._] You have only to envelop Lady Sellenger in your
arms, and the picture will be complete.
GERALD.
Would you kindly explain this incident?
BLENKINSOP.
If you’ll allow me to say so, I really can’t see that it’s any business
of yours.
GERALD.
[_Hotly._] Look here, Blenkinsop, you’ve got no right to play your
fool-tricks with Mrs. Dot. She’s a very excitable and thoughtless woman.
She’s....
BLENKINSOP.
Well?
GERALD.
Oh, damn you!
BLENKINSOP.
Not at all, not at all.
GERALD.
[_Angrily._] What the deuce is the meaning of all this tomfoolery?
BLENKINSOP.
[_Blandly._] I suppose you couldn’t be a little more civil, could you?
GERALD.
Look here, Blenkinsop, the best thing you can do is to receive a
telegram that requires your immediate presence in town.
BLENKINSOP.
Thanks very much, but I’m extremely comfortable down here.
GERALD.
You’d be rather surprised if I threw you out of the window, wouldn’t
you?
BLENKINSOP.
I should not only be surprised, but I should look upon it as an odious
familiarity.
GERALD.
Would you like to know my private opinion of you?
BLENKINSOP.
Spare me my blushes, dear boy. It always embarrasses me to be flattered
to my face.
GERALD.
You silly old fool.
BLENKINSOP.
I believe you’re considerably annoyed.
GERALD.
Not in the least. What the dickens is there about you that should annoy
me?
BLENKINSOP.
Now that I come to think of it, you are certainly in a passion. Your
face is red, your attire is disordered, and you have a slight squint in
your eye.
GERALD.
My dear fellow, if I hadn’t the best temper in the world, I should kick
you.
BLENKINSOP.
You’d far better go and lie down. You’ll only say something which you’ll
regret.
GERALD.
I suppose you’re not for a moment under the impression that Mrs. Dot
cares twopence about you.
BLENKINSOP.
May I ask how that can in the least concern you?
GERALD.
Mrs. Dot is an old friend of mine. I’m not going to see her made
ridiculous by a conceited nincompoop.
BLENKINSOP.
By the way, has it slipped your memory that you’re engaged to Miss
Sellenger?
GERALD.
Good Lord, no!
BLENKINSOP.
I daresay you wish it had.
GERALD.
That’s a confounded impertinent thing to say.
BLENKINSOP.
My dear fellow, I never saw any one with less common sense in my life.
Surely it’s not very extraordinary that the same tender passion which
inflames the chaste breasts of yourself and Miss Sellenger, should
attack the equally chaste breasts of myself and Mrs. Worthley.
GERALD.
Don’t talk such twaddle.
BLENKINSOP.
I suppose you’d be considerably astonished if I told you that I’d just
asked Mrs. Dot to be my wife.
GERALD.
She must have screamed with laughter.
BLENKINSOP.
You noticed her unconcealed hilarity when you came in.
GERALD.
[_Going up to him quickly._] You don’t mean it!
BLENKINSOP.
No man is quite safe from the toils of women till he’s safely in his
grave. And even then a feminine worm probably makes a dead set at him.
GERALD.
And does Mrs. Dot--reciprocate your affection?
BLENKINSOP.
Really you ask me a very delicate question.
GERALD.
By the great Harry, the man thinks she’s in love with him.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Rather indignant._] And pray, why shouldn’t she be just as much in
love with me as with you?
GERALD.
[_With a burst of laughter._] Ha, ha, ha.
BLENKINSOP.
What the blazes are you laughing at?
GERALD.
Ha! ha! ha!
BLENKINSOP.
Shut up, you blithering idiot!
GERALD.
[_Still laughing._] She _has_ made a fool of you. Ha! ha! ha!
[_Seriously._] And did you really think any woman would care for you? My
poor Blenkinsop! My poor, poor Blenkinsop!
BLENKINSOP.
You’re a jackanapes, sir, you’re an impudent jackanapes. And why not,
pray?
GERALD.
[_Furiously._] Because you’re revolting to look upon, and your
conversation is inexpressibly tedious.
BLENKINSOP.
It’s charming of you to say so.
GERALD.
If you want to marry any one, marry Lady Sellenger.
BLENKINSOP.
You are evidently under the impression that if a woman can’t be so
fortunate as to marry you, she had far better retire into a nunnery.
GERALD.
You’re a cantankerous cynic and a fatuous donkey.
BLENKINSOP.
I like the delicacy with which you express your appreciation of my
merits.
GERALD.
Listen to me, Blenkinsop! Clear out of the house before you make a
greater mess of things than you have already. Mrs. Dot would as soon
marry her groom as marry you.
BLENKINSOP.
You think it’s quite impossible that she should ever have dreamt of such
a thing?
GERALD.
Not only impossible, but grotesque.
[BLENKINSOP _goes to the drawer in which is the licence and takes
it out_.
BLENKINSOP.
Perhaps, then, it would interest you to inspect this document.
[GERALD _takes it and looks at it, dumfounded_.
GERALD.
It’s a special licence.
BLENKINSOP.
So much less bother than banns, you know.
GERALD.
James Blenkinsop.
BLENKINSOP.
And Frances Annandale Worthley.
GERALD.
It’s a mistake! It’s all a preposterous mistake.
BLENKINSOP.
You see, the Archbishop of Canterbury calls me his right well-beloved
brother. Friendly, isn’t it?
[GERALD _violently tears it in pieces and flings them on the
ground_. BLENKINSOP _gives a sigh of relief_. GERALD _stalks out of
the room into the garden_. BLENKINSOP _goes to the door and waves
his hand at him_. MRS. DOT _comes in. She has discovered that_
BLENKINSOP _has been making a fool of her_.
BLENKINSOP.
He’s torn up your precious licence.
MRS. DOT.
[_Quickly._] Which one?
BLENKINSOP.
Ours, of course. Three guineas gone bang, my dear.
MRS. DOT.
[_Counting on her fingers._] I’m reckoning how many bottles of beer the
British public will have to drink for us to buy another.
BLENKINSOP.
But your refusal of my hand will happily prevent you from going to that
expense. Thereby considerably forwarding the cause of temperance.
MRS. DOT.
[_With an assumption of overwhelming gravity._]
James, I have been thinking over all you said, and I am willing to marry
you.
BLENKINSOP.
[_A chill going down his spine._] I thank you from the bottom of my
heart, but I cannot accept this sacrifice.
MRS. DOT.
It is no sacrifice when I think that I can make you happy.
BLENKINSOP.
But you mustn’t think of me. It’s your happiness that we have to
consider. Don’t let a momentary impulse ruin your whole life.
MRS. DOT.
I’ve thought it over very carefully. I cannot resist your passionate
pleading.
BLENKINSOP.
I will not be outdone in generosity. You have refused me. I accept your
refusal as final.
MRS. DOT.
I never realised that your nature was so great and tender. Every word
you say makes me more determined to devote my life to your happiness.
BLENKINSOP.
My dear Dot, much as I appreciate the beauty of your sentiments, I must
confess that I could never marry a woman who did not love me.
MRS. DOT.
[_As though she were struggling with her modesty._] I see that you want
to force from me the avowal that is so hard to make. Oh, you men!
BLENKINSOP.
Good God, you don’t mean to say you’re in love with me?
MRS. DOT.
[_Languishing._] James. Is it so very wonderful?
BLENKINSOP.
Half an hour ago you said you couldn’t stand me at any price.
MRS. DOT.
It’s a woman’s privilege to change her mind. The passion which you threw
into your proposal has completely changed me. I am touched by the
vehemence with which you flung your heart at my feet. I have struggled,
but I cannot resist. Take me in your arms, James, and never let me go.
BLENKINSOP.
Dot, I have a confession to make to you. I didn’t mean a word I said.
MRS. DOT.
Ah, James, do not jest.
BLENKINSOP.
I assure you I’m perfectly serious. You taunted me that I couldn’t make
love, so I just let myself go to show you I could. I daresay it was a
silly joke, but it certainly was a joke.
MRS. DOT.
[_Unmoved._] James, every word you say increases my admiration for you.
I can’t think now how I was ever blind to your great affection.
BLENKINSOP.
But don’t you hear what I say?
MRS. DOT.
Do you think you can take me in so easily?
BLENKINSOP.
You don’t believe me?
MRS. DOT.
Not a word.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Thoroughly alarmed._] Now, look here. I don’t love you, I’ve never
loved you, and I never shall love you. I can’t put it any clearer than
that.
MRS. DOT.
[_With rapture._] God, how he adores me!
BLENKINSOP.
I say, look here, this is a bit too thick.
MRS. DOT.
I know you only say these cruel things because you think I should be
throwing myself away on you.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Huffily._] I don’t know about that.
MRS. DOT.
You cannot bear to think that I should accept you from pity. But it
isn’t that, James. You are handsome and noble and chivalrous. How
shouldn’t a woman love you?
BLENKINSOP.
I repeat that I do not reciprocate your passion.
MRS. DOT.
You can’t deceive me so easily as that, James. I _know_ you love me. We
women have such quick intuitions.
BLENKINSOP.
So you always say.
MRS. DOT.
I see you simply quivering with restrained emotion. Oh, James, James,
you’ve made me so happy.
[_She flings herself on his bosom and pretends to burst into
tears._
BLENKINSOP.
I say, take care. Supposing somebody saw us.
MRS. DOT.
I should like all the world to see us.
BLENKINSOP.
But it’s devilish compromising.
MRS. DOT.
I want to compromise myself. Only thus can I make you certain of my
love. Oh, think of the many happy years we shall spend in one another’s
arms, James.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Extricating himself from her embrace._] Is there nothing I can say to
undeceive you?
MRS. DOT.
Nothing! I am yours till death.
BLENKINSOP.
I will never give way to my sense of humour again.
MRS. DOT.
[_Archly._] Do you mind if I leave you just for one minute? After so
much agitation I must really go and powder my nose.
BLENKINSOP.
[_Ironically._] Pray don’t let me detain you.
MRS. DOT.
Remember I am yours till death.
BLENKINSOP.
It is very good of you to say so.
[_She goes out. He rings the bell impatiently._ THE BUTLER _comes
in_.
BLENKINSOP.
Tell my servant I want him.
[THE BUTLER _goes out_. BLENKINSOP _walks up and down, wringing his
hands_. THE SERVANT _enters_.
George, pack up my things at once and get the motor. There’s not a
moment to lose.
GEORGE.
Are you going away, sir?
BLENKINSOP.
[_Flying into a passion._] You blithering fool, do you suppose I should
want my things packed if I were staying? I’m going abroad to-night.
GEORGE.
Very well, sir.
BLENKINSOP.
You must take the train and go to Cook’s at once and get some tickets.
GEORGE.
Very well, sir. Where to, sir?
BLENKINSOP.
Don’t argue, sir, but do as I tell you.
GEORGE.
I must know where to get the tickets for, sir.
BLENKINSOP.
Oh, what it is to have a fool for a servant! Take a month’s notice. I
dismiss you. Where to, sir? Anywhere, sir? Somewhere that’s a damned
long way off. South Africa! I’ll go and shoot lions in Uganda. And if
there isn’t a boat sailing at once, I’ll go to America and shoot
grizzlies in the Rocky Mountains.
GEORGE.
Very dangerous climate, sir.
BLENKINSOP.
Dangerous climate, sir? I would have you know it’s not half such a
dangerous climate as the valley of the Thames.
GEORGE.
Very good, sir.
[_He goes out._ MRS. DOT _comes in_. _At the sight of her_
BLENKINSOP _at once cools down_.
MRS. DOT.
James, dear, did I hear you give orders for your things to be packed up?
BLENKINSOP.
[_Calmly._] No, my love. What could have put such an idea in your head?
MRS. DOT.
You wouldn’t leave me--darling?
BLENKINSOP.
My angel, nothing now shall tear me from your side.
MRS. DOT.
Dearest!
BLENKINSOP.
[_Trying to restrain himself._] Pet!
[_He goes into the garden._ MRS. DOT _begins to laugh_. FREDDIE
_comes in, with letters in his hand_.
FREDDIE.
I say, I wish you’d just have a look at these letters.
MRS. DOT.
Oh, yes. I want to have a little talk with you, Freddie. [_She takes one
of the letters and reads._] “I am directed by Mrs. Worthley to
congratulate you on the recent addition to your family, but to express
her regret that she cannot accede to your request.” How brutal you are,
Freddie! Surely Mrs. Murphy is an old friend.
FREDDIE.
I looked her out in my note-book. Six months ago we sent her fifteen
pounds because she had nine children. Now she has eleven.
MRS. DOT.
And yet they complain that the birth-rate is falling. I think we’d
better send her five pounds.
FREDDIE.
You really can’t encourage a woman who has twins twice a year, when her
husband is not only bed-ridden but a hopeless lunatic.
MRS. DOT.
Perhaps she _is_ a little prolific.
FREDDIE.
Here is my answer to Mrs. MacTavish, who wants help to bury a husband.
MRS. DOT.
Poor thing! You’d better send her ten pounds.
FREDDIE.
I’ve answered: “Madam, I regret to see that this is the third time you
have lost your husband within two years. The mortality among the unhappy
gentlemen on whom you bestow your hand is so great that I can only
recommend you in future to remain a widow. Yours faithfully, Frederick
Perkins.”
MRS. DOT.
[_Reading a letter which he hands to her._] “I am pleased to hear that
the wooden leg for which Mrs. Worthley paid for last year has proved
satisfactory, but I cannot recommend her to provide you with another.
To lose one leg in a railway accident is a misfortune, but to lose a
second in a colliery explosion points to carelessness.” That’s not
original, Freddie.
FREDDIE.
I’m so hard up, I can only afford to make other people’s jokes.
MRS. DOT.
[_With a shrewd look at him._] Freddie, I’ve been exceedingly pleased
with your behaviour during the last week. I’ve watched you carefully,
and I’m glad to see that you’ve done all that was possible to destroy
poor Nellie’s affection for you.
FREDDIE.
[_Gravely._] I’ve tried to do my duty.
MRS. DOT.
I know. And in recognition of this I want you to accept a little
present. Where is my cheque-book?
FREDDIE.
[_Producing it promptly._] Oh, no, really, I shouldn’t like you to do
anything of the sort. [_Putting it in front of her, and giving her a
pen._] I feel that I’m amply paid for all that I do for you. I simply
can’t accept anything more.
MRS. DOT.
I was afraid you would object.
[_She writes, and he watches her carefully._
FREDDIE.
Five hundred pounds. Oh, you are a ripper! But why on earth do you give
me that?
MRS. DOT.
It may be useful to you. Suppose you had an idea of getting married, for
instance, it would be very convenient to have a sum like that in your
pocket.
FREDDIE.
But I’m not thinking of getting married.
MRS. DOT.
Aren’t you? I suppose you know that when you do, I’m proposing to give
you two thousand a year.
FREDDIE.
I say, that’s awfully good of you.
[_He takes the cheque and gloats over it._ MRS. DOT _quickly takes
a special licence out of the drawer and puts it on the table_.
MRS. DOT.
Now I’m going for a turn in the garden.
FREDDIE.
You are a brick.
[_She goes out. As soon as he sees the coast is clear, he gives a
peculiar whistle._ NELLIE _comes in_.
NELLIE.
I thought your whistle was never coming. They wanted me to go on the
river. I had to invent all sorts of excuses.
FREDDIE.
I don’t know how it is, but somehow we never manage to get a minute by
ourselves.
NELLIE.
It’s perfectly maddening. What a good idea it was of yours to meet in
the garden after they’d all gone to bed.
FREDDIE.
Was it my idea? I always thought it was yours!
NELLIE.
[_With wounded dignity._] It’s not likely I should have proposed a thing
like that.
FREDDIE.
No, it isn’t likely.
NELLIE.
I’m perfectly distracted. If you only knew how that man bores me!
FREDDIE.
I can’t think what you ever saw in him.
NELLIE.
I was never really fond of him, you know. I only accepted him because
he was so desperately in love with me, and mamma wouldn’t hear of it.
FREDDIE.
When did you first know that you cared for me?
NELLIE.
Oh, I don’t know. I think as soon as ever I found out you were in love
with me.
FREDDIE.
[_Rather taken aback._] Oh!
NELLIE.
When did you begin to love me?
FREDDIE.
Well, you know, I was awfully flattered by your caring for me.
NELLIE.
Oh!... [_There is a pause._] I don’t think I quite understand.
FREDDIE.
[_Opening his arms._] Darling!
NELLIE.
[_Cuddling in them._] Oh, it makes me feel so delightfully wicked. I
know I oughtn’t to let you kiss me. I know it’s treachery to poor
Gerald.
FREDDIE.
He isn’t worthy of you.
NELLIE.
He simply worships the ground I tread on. I am a perfect beast.
FREDDIE.
We’re treating him shamefully.
NELLIE.
I shall never forgive myself.
FREDDIE.
Poor Gerald.... He is an ass, isn’t he?
NELLIE.
Oh, awful.
[_They both go into shrieks of laughter._
NELLIE.
Take care!
[MRS. DOT _comes in with flowers in her hands_.
MRS. DOT.
Did I leave my scissors here? Just see if you can find them, Freddie.
Perhaps they’re in the next room. [_He goes out._] I wonder if I left
them on the writing-table.
[NELLIE _looks, sees the licence, starts, and turns round to hide
it_.
NELLIE.]
[_Agitated._] No, there’s nothing here at all.
[FREDDIE _comes in with the scissors_.
FREDDIE.
Here they are!
MRS. DOT.
Thanks so much.
[_She goes out._
NELLIE.
Freddie, how could you be so incautious? It was only by the greatest
presence of mind that I was able to hide it.
FREDDIE.
What _do_ you mean?
NELLIE.
You ought to have told me. I don’t think it was nice of you to get a
licence without saying a word to me about it. I think it was a great
liberty.
FREDDIE.
A licence?
NELLIE.
You must know that I can’t marry you. Nothing will induce me to break my
promise to Gerald. I’m very angry with you.
FREDDIE.
I haven’t the least idea what you’re talking about.
NELLIE.
How can you tell such stories?
[_She hands him the licence. He stares at it, utterly astonished._
FREDDIE.
Where did you find this?
NELLIE.
It was lying on the writing-table. I suppose you’re not going to deny
all knowledge of it. [_He stares at it still._] Freddie, how bold of
you! But you really couldn’t imagine for a moment that I’d consent to
run away with you. Oh, Freddie, I’m so flattered. How you must love me!
FREDDIE.
[_To himself._] Two thousand a year! [_He takes the cheque from his
pocket and looks at it. Suddenly light dawns on him. He puts cheque and
licence back into his pocket._] It’s fairly clear that a licence
couldn’t have got there by itself.
NELLIE.
What on earth made you think of sending for it?
FREDDIE.
[_Brazenly._] I thought it was the only way to win you.
NELLIE.
Have you had it long?
FREDDIE.
It only arrived this morning. Look here, why shouldn’t we bolt? You
don’t care a straw for Gerald, and you do care for me.
NELLIE.
It would break his heart. I couldn’t, I couldn’t! Besides, where are we
to bolt to? I daren’t. Mamma would never forgive me.
FREDDIE.
You see, with this we can be married anywhere. Let’s jump into the motor
and go down to my father near Oxford. We shall arrive by dinner-time,
and he’ll marry us to-morrow morning.
NELLIE.
You don’t mean to say your father’s in the Church?
FREDDIE.
Of course he’s in the Church. I was most careful in my choice of a
parent.
NELLIE.
Oh, how clever of you to have a father who’s a clergyman! You think of
everything, Freddie.
FREDDIE.
Look here, there’s not a minute to waste. Will you risk it?
NELLIE.
No, no, no! Freddie, how can you ask me such a thing.... I’ll just go
and put on my hat.
FREDDIE.
You brick.
[_She runs out. He walks up and down excitedly. The servants bring
in the tea._ NELLIE _comes back with her hat on_.]
FREDDIE.
Hurry up!
NELLIE.
This _is_ romance, isn’t it?
[_They go to the door that leads into the garden, hand in hand.
They are confronted by_ LADY SELLENGER _and_ GERALD, BLENKINSOP
_and_ MISS MACGREGOR.
LADY SELLENGER.
Where are you going in such a hurry?
NELLIE.
[_Promptly._] We were just going to call you all in to tea.
[MRS. DOT _comes in_.
MRS. DOT.
I’ve just had the motor brought round in case any one would like to go
out.
[_She goes to the writing-table to see if the licence has been
removed. They all sit down and have tea._
LADY SELLENGER.
Nellie, my love, I’ve been discussing a very important matter with
Gerald.
MRS. DOT.
I know. You asked him to name the day.
LADY SELLENGER.
I feel that I have no right to restrain any longer the very natural
impatience of these young things.
NELLIE.
[_Aghast._] And what did Gerald say?
LADY SELLENGER.
He wishes to leave it entirely to you.
NELLIE.
I’m sure that’s very obliging of him.
GERALD.
Not at all.
MRS. DOT.
Of course, he’s all eagerness.
GERALD.
[_Grimly._] Yes.
NELLIE.
I would much sooner--let Gerald fix it at his own convenience.
LADY SELLENGER.
I think it’s delightful, the way they give in to one another.
GERALD.
We shall only bore Mrs. Dot if we discuss the matter now.
LADY SELLENGER.
We’re all old friends here. I’m sure Mrs. Dot will help us with her
advice.
MRS. DOT.
My own opinion is, that in these matters the sooner the better.
BLENKINSOP.
When you have to take a pill the best thing is to swallow it down
without thinking.
LADY SELLENGER.
Cynic! What do you say to six weeks from to-day?
NELLIE.
That would suit me beautifully.
GERALD.
Then there’s no more to be said.
LADY SELLENGER.
What a beautiful thing love is!
[NELLIE _gets up_.
NELLIE.
[_To_ FREDDIE.] Are you coming?
FREDDIE.
Certainly.
LADY SELLENGER.
[_Surprised._] Where are you going, Nellie?
NELLIE.
Mr. Perkins has promised to take me for a little drive in the motor. I
feel it’s the only thing to send away my headache.
LADY SELLENGER.