often think of this. I wonder who would
have me, Miss Susan. (_Rising._) But I must be off; and God bless you
both.

MISS SUSAN (_forlorn_). You are going!

VALENTINE. No more mud on your carpet, Miss Susan; no more coverlets
rolled into balls. A good riddance. Miss Phoebe, a last look at the
garden.

(_Taking her hand and looking into her face._)

PHOEBE. We shall miss you very much, Mr. Brown.

VALENTINE. There is one little matter. That investment I advised you
to make, I am happy it has turned out so well.

PHOEBE (_checking_ MISS SUSAN, _who is about to tell of the loss of the
money_). It was good of you to take all that trouble, sir. Accept our
grateful thanks.

VALENTINE. Indeed I am glad that you are so comfortably left; I am
your big brother. Good-bye again. (_Looks round._) This little blue
and white room and its dear inmates, may they be unchanged when I come
back. Good-bye.

(_He goes_. MISS SUSAN _looks forlornly at_ PHOEBE, _who smiles
pitifully._)

PHOEBE. A misunderstanding; just a mistake. (_She shudders, lifts the
wedding-gown and puts it back in the ottoman_. MISS SUSAN _sinks
sobbing into a chair._) Don't, dear, don't--we can live it down.

MISS SUSAN (_fiercely_). He is a fiend in human form.

PHOEBE. Nay, you hurt me, sister. He is a brave gentleman.

MISS SUSAN. The money; why did you not let me tell him?

PHOEBE (_flushing_). So that he might offer to me out of pity, Susan?

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, how are we to live with the quartern loaf at one
and tenpence?

PHOEBE. Brother James----

MISS SUSAN. You know very well that brother James will do nothing for
us.

PHOEBE. I think, Susan, we could keep a little school--for genteel
children only, of course. I would do most of the teaching.

MISS SUSAN. You a schoolmistress--Phoebe of the ringlets; every one
would laugh.

PHOEBE. I shall hide the ringlets away in a cap like yours, Susan, and
people will soon forget them. And I shall try to look staid and to
grow old quickly. It will not be so hard to me as you think, dear.

MISS SUSAN. There were other gentlemen who were attracted by you,
Phoebe, and you turned from them.

PHOEBE. I did not want them.

MISS SUSAN. They will come again, and others.

PHOEBE. No, dear; never speak of that to me any more. (_In woe._) I
let him kiss me.

MISS SUSAN. You could not prevent him.

PHOEBE. Yes, I could. I know I could now. I wanted him