PROSERPINE (fretfully). It's well you and I are not ladies and
gentlemen: I'd talk to you pretty straight if Mr. Marchbanks
wasn't here. (She pulls the letter out of the machine so crossly
that it tears.) There, now I've spoiled this letter--have to be
done all over again. Oh, I can't contain myself--silly old
fathead!

BURGESS (rising, breathless with indignation). Ho! I'm a silly
ole fathead, am I? Ho, indeed (gasping). Hall right, my gurl!
Hall right. You just wait till I tell that to your employer.
You'll see. I'll teach you: see if I don't.

PROSERPINE. I--

BURGESS (cutting her short). No, you've done it now. No huse
a-talkin' to me. I'll let you know who I am. (Proserpine shifts
her paper carriage with a defiant bang, and disdainfully goes on
with her work.) Don't you take no notice of her, Mr. Morchbanks.
She's beneath it. (He sits down again loftily.)

MARCHBANKS (miserably nervous and disconcerted). Hadn't we better
change the subject. I--I don't think Miss Garnett meant anything.

PROSERPINE (with intense conviction). Oh, didn't I though, just!

BURGESS. I wouldn't demean myself to take notice on her.

(An electric bell rings twice.)