ndon. Their
private sitting-room is furnished in heavy early Victorian style. A
couple of gloomy palms help to decorate the room, on whose walls are
engravings of Landseer's masterpieces.]

[MASON, a faithful kindly body, once nurse, now familiar servant, is at
the table arranging flowers, in a gallant attempt to make the room more
cheerful. As she fills each vase she takes it to its place, steps back
to consider the effect, and returns to fill the next one. GERALD, in
London clothes as attractive as ever, but looking none rather serious,
discovers her at work.]

GERALD. Hullo, Nanny, when did you come?

MASON. This morning, sir. Her ladyship telegraphed for me.

GERALD (smiling affectionately at her). Whenever there's any trouble
about, we send for Nanny. I wonder she ever came to London without you.

MASON. I told her I'd better come, but she wouldn't listen to me. Dear,
dear! there _is_ trouble about now Master Gerald.

GERALD. Yes.

MASON. I thought a few flowers would cheer us up. I said to Mr.
Underhill before I started, "Give me some flowers to take with me," I
said, "so that I can make the place look more homey and comfortable for
her ladyship."

GERALD. And you have. No one like Nanny for that.

MASON (timidly). Is there any news of Master Bob this morning? Of
course, we've all been reading about it in the papers. They're not going
to send him to prison?

GERALD. I'm afraid they are.

MASON. Dear, dear! (She goes on arranging the flowers.) He's not in
prison now?

GERALD. No; he's on bail for the moment. Perhaps he'll be round here for
lunch. But I'm afraid that to-night--

MASON. Even as a baby he was never quite like you, Master Gerald. Never
was there such a little lamb as you. How long will they send him to
prison for?

GERALD. We don't know yet; I expect we shall know this evening. But
there's no doubt which way the case is going.

MASON. Two of the men were making their bets about it over the
supper-table last night. I didn't wait long before giving them a piece
of my mind, I can promise you.

GERALD (turning round sharply). Who were they? Out they go to-morrow.

MASON. That wouldn't be quite fair, would it, sir? They're young and
thoughtless like.

GERALD (to himself rather than to her). After all, it's only what
everybody else has been doing.

MASON. It wouldn't be anything very bad that Master Bob has done?

GERALD (emphatically). No, Nanny. No. Nothing bad; only--stupid.