Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 5).djvu/32




 * Of course! of course! And you shall know all about it as soon as I have asked Jem's leave. Meanwhile we must attend to the fates of these unhappy young people. We had better first try to show them their grievous fault as gently as possible, and if gentleness does not answer


 * Oh, yes! Gentleness is all very well! But I tell you quite candidly, Will, that before we talk of gentleness I must insist on knowing what it is you told Jem that you would not let me hear.


 * The fact is, my dear (Coughs.)


 * Tell me what the fact is, and at once, my dear!


 * The facts are, dear child (Coughs again.)

(irritated): Don't cough!

(continues coughing): Well! it's a long story.


 * Haven't you a lozenge?


 * Never mind the lozenge! The story, I say, is a long one.


 * Long or short, I must hear it!


 * I'll tell it you, later on.


 * I begin to suspect you can't tell me all about it, simply because you can't!


 * Oh! I can! I could!


 * Oh, no, you can't. You couldn't, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself!


 * You are going just a little bit too far, Florence.


 * Oh, no; it was you who went too far. Why, I knew it by the look on your face the instant I came into the room!

(aside). She is going very much too far. (Aloud) Nonsense!


 * I beg pardon?


 * I repeat "Nonsense." And ridiculous nonsense!


 * Then, how dare you?


 * You forget yourself strangely.


 * Do not attempt to adopt your nephew's manner to his wife towards me!


 * It is you, my love, who are unfortunate in your choice of a manner this morning; and although pettishness in a young girl like Kitty has a certain little charm of its own


 * Yes!


 * When a woman has reached your time of life

(furious): Yes!!!


 * Petulance sits remarkably ill upon her—upon you, my dear


 * When a man has reached your time of life and remains as great a fool

(furious): A fool?


 * Yes! As great a fool and an idiot as ever


 * I was always aware you had the very devil of a temper, Florence, and now, after fifteen years of married life, I