ious twenty miles from here, as I remember.

PHOEBE. La! I have found the journey a monstrous quick one, sir.

(_The band is again heard. She runs to the window to peep between the
curtains, and his eyes follow her admiringly._)

VALENTINE (_eagerly_). Miss Livvy, you go to the ball?

PHOEBE. Alas, sir, I have no card.

VALENTINE. I have two cards for your aunts. As Miss Phoebe has the
headache, your Aunt Susan must take you to the ball.

PHOEBE. Oh, oh! (_Her feet move to the music._) Sir, I cannot
control my feet.

VALENTINE. They are already at the ball, ma'am; you must follow them.

PHOEBE (_with all the pent-up mischief of ten years_). Oh, sir, do you
think some pretty gentleman might be partial to me at the ball?

VALENTINE. If that is your wish----

PHOEBE. I should love, sir, to inspire frenzy in the breast of the
male. (_With sudden collapse._) I dare not go--I dare not.

VALENTINE. Miss Livvy, I vow----

(_He turns eagerly to_ MISS SUSAN, _who enters._)

I have ventured, Miss Susan, to introduce myself to your charming niece.

(MISS SUSAN _would like to run away again, but the wicked_ MISS PHOEBE
_is determined to have her help._)

PHOEBE. Aunt Susan, do not be angry with your Livvy--your Livvy, Aunt
Susan. This gentleman says he is the dashing Mr. Brown, he has cards
for us for the ball, Auntie. Of course we cannot go--we dare not go.
Oh, Auntie, hasten into your bombazine.

MISS SUSAN (_staggered_). Phoebe----

PHOEBE. Aunt Phoebe wants me to go. If I say she does you know she
does!

MISS SUSAN. But my dear, my dear.

PHOEBE. Oh, Auntie, why do you talk so much. Come, come.

VALENTINE. I shall see to it, Miss Susan, that your niece has a
charming ball.

PHOEBE. He means he will find me sweet partners.

VALENTINE. Nay, ma'am, I mean _I_ shall be your partner.

PHOEBE (_who is not an angel_). Aunt Susan, he still dances!

VALENTINE. _Still_, ma'am?

PHOEBE. Oh, sir, you are indeed dashing. Nay, sir, please not to
scowl, I could not avoid noticing them.

VALENTINE. Noticing what, Miss Livvy?

PHOEBE. The grey hairs, sir.

VALENTINE. I vow, ma'am, there is not one in my head.

PHOEBE. He is such a quiz. I so love a quiz.

VALENTINE. Then, ma'am, I shall do nothing but quiz you at the ball.
Miss Susan, I beg you--

MISS SUSAN. Oh, sir, dissuade her.

VALENTINE. Nay, I entreat.

PHOEBE. Auntie!

MISS SUSAN. Think, my dear, think,