--as he
has often been of late.

MISS SUSAN. _We_ know why.

PHOEBE. Please not to say that I know why. Suddenly he stopped and
swung his cane. You know how gallantly he swings his cane.

MISS SUSAN. Yes, indeed.

PHOEBE. He said: 'I have something I am wishful to tell you, Miss
Phoebe; perhaps you can guess what it is.'

MISS SUSAN. Go on!

PHOEBE. To say I could guess, sister, would have been unladylike. I
said: 'Please not to tell me in the public thoroughfare'; to which he
instantly replied: 'Then I shall call and tell you this afternoon.'

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe!

(_They are interrupted by the entrance of_ PATTY _with tea. They see
that she has brought three cups, and know that this is her impertinent
way of implying that mistresses, as well as maids, may have a
'follower.' When she has gone they smile at the daring of the woman,
and sit down to tea._)

PHOEBE. Susan, to think that it has all happened in a single year.

MISS SUSAN. Such a genteel competency as he can offer; such a
desirable establishment.

PHOEBE. I had no thought of that, dear. I was recalling our first
meeting at Mrs. Fotheringay's quadrille party.

MISS SUSAN. We had quite forgotten that our respected local physician
was growing elderly.

PHOEBE. Until he said: 'Allow me to present my new partner, Mr.
Valentine Brown.'

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, do you remember how at the tea-table he
facetiously passed the cake-basket with nothing in it!

PHOEBE. He was so amusing from the first. I am thankful, Susan, that
I too have a sense of humour. I am exceedingly funny at times; am I
not, Susan?

MISS SUSAN. Yes, indeed. But he sees humour in the most unexpected
things. I say something so ordinary about loving, for instance, to
have everything either blue or white in this room, and I know not why
he laughs, but it makes me feel quite witty.

PHOEBE (_a little anxiously_). I hope he sees nothing odd or quaint
about us.

MISS SUSAN. My dear, I am sure he cannot.

PHOEBE. Susan, the picnics.

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, the day when he first drank tea in this house.

PHOEBE. He invited himself.

MISS SUSAN. He merely laughed when I said it would cause such talk.

PHOEBE. He is absolutely fearless. Susan, he has smoked his pipe in
this room.

(_They are both a little scared._)

MISS SUSAN. Smoking is indeed a dreadful habit.

PHOEBE. But there is something so dashing about it.

MISS SUSAN (_with melanchol