?

MISS SUSAN. Fanny, I expect it hourly.

(MISS SUSAN, _left alone, is agitated by the terrible scene with_ MISS
WILLOUGHBY.)

(_Enter_ PHOEBE _in her bonnet, and we see at once that she really is
the nicest. She is so flushed with delightful news that she almost
forgets to take off her pattens before crossing the blue and white
room._)

MISS SUSAN. You seem strangely excited, Phoebe.

PHOEBE. Susan, I have met a certain individual.

MISS SUSAN. V. B.? (PHOEBE _nods several times, and her gleaming eyes
tell_ MISS SUSAN _as much as if they were a romance from the library._)
My dear, you are trembling.

PHOEBE (_bravely_). No--oh no.

MISS SUSAN. You put your hand to your heart.

PHOEBE. Did I?

MISS SUSAN (_in a whisper_). My love, has he offered?

PHOEBE (_appalled_). Oh, Susan.

(_Enter_ MISS WILLOUGHBY, _partly cloaked._)

MISS WILLOUGHBY. How do you do, Miss Phoebe. (_Portentously_) Susan,
I have no wish to alarm you, but I am of opinion that there is a man in
the house. I suddenly felt it while putting on my pattens.

MISS SUSAN. You mean--a follower--in the kitchen? (_She courageously
rings the bell, but her voice falters._) I am just a little afraid of
Patty.

(_Enter_ PATTY, _a buxom young woman, who loves her mistresses and
smiles at them, and knows how to terrorise them._)

Patty, I hope we may not hurt your feelings, but--

PATTY (_sternly_). Are you implicating, ma'am, that I have a follower?

MISS SUSAN. Oh no, Patty.

PATTY. So be it.

MISS SUSAN (_ashamed_). Patty, come back, (_Humbly_) I told a
falsehood just now; I am ashamed of myself.

PATTY (_severely_). As well you might be, ma'am.

PHOEBE (_so roused that she would look heroic if she did not spoil the
effect by wagging her finger at_ PATTY). How dare you. There is a man
in the kitchen. To the door with him.

PATTY. A glorious soldier to be so treated!

PHOEBE. The door.

PATTY. And if he refuses?

(_They looked perplexed._)

MISS SUSAN. Oh dear!

PHOEBE. If he refuses send him here to me.

(_Exit PATTY._)

MISS SUSAN. Lion-hearted Phoebe.

MISS WILLOUGHBY. A soldier? (_Nervously_) I wish it may not be that
impertinent recruiting sergeant. I passed him in the street to-day.
He closed one of his eyes at me and then quickly opened it. I knew
what he meant.

PHOEBE. He does not come.

MISS SUSAN. I think I hear their voices in dispute.

(_She is listening through the