self quickly as he pulls himself up and says with
a sudden change of tone) Dear me, I'm getting quite poetical, and two
minutes ago I was talking to Wentworth about fetlocks.

PAMELA (getting up). Oh, Gerald, Gerald!

GERALD (getting up and smiling at her). Oh, Pamela, Pamela!

PAMELA. I wonder how much you really want me.

GERALD. I'll show you when we're married. I don't think I could even
begin to tell you now.

PAMELA (wistfully). Couldn't you try?

(GERALD catches hold of her suddenly, and holding her tightly to him,
kisses her again and again.)

GERALD. There!

PAMELA (releasing herself). Oh, Gerald, my darling, you frighten me
sometimes.

GERALD. Did I frighten you then?

PAMELA (happily). Oh, no, no, no, no! (Earnestly) Always want me very
much, Gerald. Always be in need of me. Don't be too successful without
me. However much the sun shines on you, let me make it gentler and more
caressing for you.

GERALD. It is so, darling. Didn't I say so?

PAMELA. Ah, but I want such a lot of telling.

GERALD (laughing happily as he goes over to the table by the fireplace
and takes a cigarette). Who was the fellow who threw something into
the sea because he was frightened by his own luck? What shall I throw?
(Looking at a presentation clock on the mantelpiece) That's rather
asking for it. In a way it would be killing two birds with one stone.
Oh, Lord, I am lucky!

PAMELA (coming to him and taking his arm). As long as you don't throw
me.

GERALD. Pamela, you're talking rubbish. I talk a good deal myself, but I
do keep within the bounds. Let's go and chatter to Bob about contangos.
I don't know what they are, but they sound extraordinarily sober.

PAMELA (gently). Poor old Bob!

GERALD (quickly). Why _poor_ old Bob?

PAMELA. He's worried about something. I tried to get him to tell me as
we came from the station, but he wouldn't.

GERALD. Poor old Bob! I suppose things are going up--or down, or
something. Brokerage one-eighth--that's what's worrying him, I expect.

PAMELA. I think he wants to talk to you about it. Be nice to him,
darling, won't you?

GERALD (surprised). Nice to him?

PAMELA. You know what I mean--sympathetic. I know it's a difficult
relationship--brothers.

GERALD. All relationships are difficult. But after you, he's the person
I love best in the world. (With a laugh) But I don't propose to fall on
his neck and tell him so.

PAMELA (smiling). I know you will help him if you can