SHE. Yes, put it all on me, of course. Don't be mean, Henry.

HE [rousing himself with an effort] You are quite right, Mrs
Bompas: I beg your pardon. You must excuse my temper. I have got
growing pains, I think.

SHE. Growing pains!

HE. The process of growing from romantic boyhood into cynical
maturity usually takes fifteen years. When it is compressed into
fifteen minutes, the pace is too fast; and growing pains are the
result.

SHE. Oh, is this a time for cleverness? It's settled, isn't it,
that you're going to be nice and good, and that you'll brazen it
out to Teddy that you have some other Aurora?

HE. Yes: I'm capable of anything now. I should not have told him
the truth by halves; and now I will not lie by halves. I'll
wallow in the honor of a gentleman.

SHE. Dearest boy, I knew you would. I--Sh! [she rushes to the
door, and holds it ajar, listening breathlessly].

HE. What is it?

SHE [white with apprehension] It's Teddy: I hear him tapping the
new barometer. He can't have anything serious on his mind or he
wouldn't do that. Perhaps Georgina hasn't said anything. [She
steals back to the hearth]. Try and look as if there was nothing