HORACE. To women? In some respects I think I do. AUNT. Oh, do you? HORACE. For one thing, a cigar doesn’t talk. And when you have finished with one, you can begin another. (_Enter MINNIE L._) MINNIE. I can’t find your cigar case anywhere. You’ve found it! HORACE. In my pocket all the time. MINNIE. (_Goes to him and places cushions in chair_) There, now. Are you nice and comfortable? HORACE. No. Not at all. AUNT. Don’t speak to him, dear. He isn’t worth it. MINNIE. Now, Auntie dear, I must make my boy cosy, and then I think I shall go to bed. AUNT. What? Give up the dance? MINNIE. Oh, never mind about that. AUNT. Horace, I ask you, have you the heart to let Minnie sacrifice her pleasure for you in this way? MINNIE. But, Auntie, it doesn’t matter, really it doesn’t. AUNT. I’m very angry with him. HORACE. I am not sacrificing her pleasure, it’s you. Why don’t you go? AUNT. You know I can’t. HORACE. There’s nothing to prevent you, except your absurd vanity. MINNIE. For shame, Horace! AUNT. Vanity indeed! How dare you? HORACE. It’s perfectly true. It’s just your nonsense about a dress. AUNT. Very well, then, you shall see. I will go. I don’t care how I look. HORACE. And I am sure I don’t, either. AUNT. Minnie shan’t be deprived of her evening. I’ll put on my yellow satin and look a perfect fright. HORACE. I’ll believe you when I see you. MINNIE. I have quite given up the idea, Auntie. AUNT. But I haven’t. You shall see, Horace, I keep my word. HORACE. Oh, devil doubt you! AUNT. Whatever it costs me, I’ll do my duty. MINNIE. I don’t want to inflict this on you, Auntie dear. I’m quite content to go to bed. AUNT. Content. Oh, yes, I understand your content. But you shall go, my dear, to as many balls and parties as possible. You shall go to Ascot and Henley and Goodwood and Cowes. We’ll find escorts easily enough. You shall see plenty of new faces. I’ll take care of that. Vanity, indeed! I’ll teach him to call me vain! (_Starts to exit L. when BELLA enters R. with box._) BELLA. From Madame Louise, ma’m. AUNT. The dress? BELLA. Yes, ma’m. AUNT. What a relief! HORACE. What a relief! MINNIE. Auntie, isn’t that splendid luck? BELLA. Madame Louise hopes it will be in time. AUNT. Just in time. Take it up to my room at once. (_Exit BELLA L._) I won’t keep you waiting any longer than I can help. You’ll find Horace such a delightful companion, so witty and entertaining. Oh, don’t speak to him, then you won’t get any uncivil answers. (_Exit L._) HORACE. (_After a pause, looks up from his paper_) Got the jumps. MINNIE. You must have said something to upset her. She isn’t often like that. HORACE. I should hope not. MINNIE. She’ll be all right to-morrow. HORACE. That’s the worst of women, they’re so illogical, aren’t they? MINNIE. I suppose they are. HORACE. You know, she thinks I ought to have gone with you to-night. That’s because she only looks at it from her own standpoint. Can’t take a broad view of the case.