nted
it, I should really be in no hurry to get it back again.

BOB (awkwardly). Thanks very much. It isn't that. (After a pause) Not
altogether.

MISS FARRINGDON. It was a great pity you ever went into the City, Bob.

BOB (fiercely). I could have told anybody that.

MISS FARRINGDON (after waiting for him to say something more). Well,
suppose we go into the garden with the others. (She begins to get up and
he goes to help her,) There's nothing you want to tell me, Bob?

BOB (looking away). What would there be?

MISS FARRINGDON. I'm a wise old woman, they say, and I don't talk.

BOB. I don't think you can help me. Er--thanks very much.

MISS FARRINGDON (quite naturally, as she turns towards the door). If you
don't mind giving me your arm.

(As they get to the door they are met by GERALD and PAMELA coming in.)

GERALD. Hullo, Bob, we were just coming back for you.

MISS FARRINGDON. Thoughtful Gerald.

GERALD. Pamela's idea. She thought that the elder members of the family
could discuss life more freely unhampered by the younger generation.

PAMELA. What I really said was, "Where's Bob?"

GERALD. Well, it's the same thing.

MISS FARRINGDON. Bob is looking after me, thank you very much. [They go
out together.]

GERALD (after watching them go, to PAMELA). Stay here a bit. There are
too many people and dogs and things outside. Come and sit on the sofa
and I'll tell you all the news. (He takes her hand and they go to the
sofa together.) What ages you've been away!

PAMELA. An hour and a half. And it need not have been that if you'd come
with me.

GERALD (taking her hand). If I had come with you, I would have held your
hand all the way.

PAMELA. I shouldn't have minded.

GERALD. But just think what would have happened: You would have had
to have driven with one hand down all the hills; we should have had
a smash-up before we got halfway; a well-known society beauty and a
promising young gentleman in the Foreign Office would have been
maimed for life; and Bob would have to have walked here carrying his
portmanteau. Besides, I love you going away from me when you come back.
You've only got to come into the room, and the sun seems to shine.

PAMELA. The sun always shines on Gerald.

GERALD. Does it? That's a different sort of sunshine. Not the gentle
caressing September afternoon sunshine which you wear all round you.
(She is looking at him lovingly and happily as he says this, but she
withdraws into her