something or other--as if she were an umbrella, with my initials on
it. ... And somebody else said, "I've quite fallen in love with
your Pamela; I hope you don't mind." _Mind_? I tell you, Wentworth,
my boy, if you aren't in love with Pamela by Tuesday, there'll be
the very deuce of a row. Your electro-plated butter-dish, or
whatever it's going to be, will be simply flung back at you.

WENTWORTH. Well, as long as Miss Pamela understands--

GERALD. Of course she understands. We understand each other.

WENTWORTH (preening himself ). Then I'll do my best. Mind, if she
does happen to reciprocate my feelings, I wash my hands of all
responsibility. (Going towards the staircase) Good-afternoon, Miss
Farringdon.

[MISS FARRINGDON is coming slowly down the stairs.]

MISS FARRINGDON. Good-afternoon, Mr. Wentworth. Welcome.

(She must be well over eighty. She was pretty once, and
sharp-tongued; so much you could swear to now. For the rest she is
very, very wise, and intensely interested in life.)

GERALD (going over and kissing her). Good-morning, Aunt Tabitha.
Your chair is waiting for you. (He conducts her to it.)

MISS FARRINGDON. I'm a nasty cross old thing before lunch, Mr.
Wentworth, so I don't come down till afterwards nowadays. Is Gerald
being as charming as usual?