DICK.  I breathe freely once more.

MRS. CARLEY.  I thought Sammy Coast was here.

DICK.  Not since I came.  He seems a clever chap!

MRS. CARLEY.  We think so, and we hope so.  He adores Georgiana.

DICK.  Oh!

MRS. CARLEY.  Huh! huh! [DICK walks away.] What do you say to that match?

DICK.  You don’t mean?—­

[Turns to MRS. CARLEY.

MRS. CARLEY.  Looks like it!  It would be a fine thing for both of them. 
Sam could give her a fortune, and Georgiana give him a big position.

DICK.  But—­

MRS. CARLEY.  He’s crazy about her!  Comes here every day—­follows her like a dog.

DICK.  But it isn’t—­

MRS. CARLEY. [Interrupting.] Not yet, but we don’t dare breathe!  And we’re on tiptoe for the final word.

DICK.  What does Steven say?

MRS. CARLEY.  Delighted, of course. [Walks away a little.] I hope you haven’t brought Steve any tips to-day.

DICK. [Laughing.] No!

MRS. CARLEY.  Thank goodness!  He doesn’t seem to have had any this week and the house has been fairly quiet! [GEORGIANA comes back.] I must go to Mrs. Vale. [Goes out.]

GEORGIANA.  Mother looks pleased.

DICK.  She’s never very depressed, is she?

GEORGIANA.  Yes, sometimes,—­in the day-time!  It’s largely a matter of frocks and bonnets, and depends sometimes on the exact color of her hair.

DICK.  I often wonder that you keep on living with Mrs. Carley and
Louise.  They can’t help being beastly uncongenial to you.

GEORGIANA.  But Mrs. Carley brought me up.  She did her worst with the best intentions, and you mustn’t forget Steve! [She sits beside the table and DICK leans against it to talk to her.] He’s my own brother, you know, and I’m so afraid Louise will finally disillusion him and spoil his happiness.  I’m standing on guard.

DICK.  You think a lot of Steve.

GEORGIANA.  I love him better than any one else in the world. [She adds in a very low voice.] Almost!

[A short pause.

DICK.  Steve comes second!

[Pause.

GEORGIANA. [Low voice and looking away.] Perhaps.

DICK.  I hope you don’t mind my asking you these questions.

GEORGIANA.  No, I like it.

DICK.  I don’t want you to tell me anything more than you care to.

GEORGIANA. [Turning and half laughing.] That’s very good of you.

DICK.  But I wish you’d tell me everything.

GEORGIANA.  My dear Dick, there isn’t anything more for me to tell.

DICK.  Oh, very well, if you want to leave it that way.

[Moving away.

GEORGIANA.  Leave what?

DICK.  I mean if that’s all you want to tell me.

GEORGIANA.  Why don’t you tell me something.