possible. For you to spring the truth upon him NOW--well, it doesn't
seem to me quite fair to HIM.

FANNY. Then am I to live all my life dressed as a charity girl?

NEWTE. You keep your head and things will gradually right
themselves. This family of yours--they've got SOME sense, I suppose?

FANNY. Never noticed any sign of it myself.

NEWTE. Maybe you're not a judge. [Laughs.] They'll listen to
reason. You let ME have a talk to them, one of these days; see if I
can't show them--first one and then the other--the advantage of
leaving to "better" themselves--WITH THE HELP OF A LITTLE READY
MONEY. Later on--choosing your proper time--you can break it to him
that you have discovered they're distant connections of yours, a
younger branch of the family that you'd forgotten. Give the show
time to settle down into a run. Then you can begin to make changes.

FANNY. You've a wonderful way with you, George. It always sounds
right as you put it--even when one jolly well knows that it isn't.

NEWTE. Well, it's always been right for you, old girl, ain't it?

FANNY. Yes. You've been a rattling good friend. [She takes his
hands.] Almost wish I'd married you instead. We'd have been more
suited to one another.

NEWTE [shakes his head]. Nothing like having your fancy. You'd
never have been happy without him. [He releases her.] 'Twas a good