[_She begins to cry, and Mary Speaker says_:] Mary Speaker No, no, no, Cousin Fanny! [_Mary Speaker soothes her, in pantomime, and pets her, trying to take her hands away from her face, Cousin Fanny resisting, like a spoiled and spiteful child. John Speaker, behind Cousin Fanny and his wife, walks up and down, with his eyes on them, running his hand nervously and excitedly through his hair. While this pantomime goes on, John and Mary Thinker are watching and saying _:] John Thinker This is to be one of Cousin Fanny's pleasant evenings! Mary Thinker This happens a dozen times a day. John Thinker She's not really crying. Mary Thinker Pretence! She works it up to be unpleasant. John Thinker The old she-devil! John Speaker [_Taking Cousin Fanny's hand._] You know, Cousin Fanny, that we try to do our duty by you. Cousin Fanny [_Flinging his hand off._] You try to do your duty by my money! I know! I see! You talk of love and duty, but it's my money you want! But I may fool you--I may fool you yet. It's not too late to change my will. It's not too late to leave it all to charity! [_She speaks these lines with a cunning leer, and John Thinker, nudging Mary Thinker and pointing to her, says:_] John Thinker The old cat is capable of it, too! John Speaker [_To Cousin Fanny_.] If you should leave your money to charity, Cousin Fanny, you would find it made no difference with us. You know blood is thicker than water, Cousin Fanny! Cousin Fanny [_Shrewdly, maliciously_.] So is sticky flypaper! John Speaker Come, come, you don't doubt the genuineness of our affection, do you, Cousin Fanny? You've known me from my boyhood, Cousin Fanny, and you've lived with us for ten years. You ought to know us by this time! You ought to know us in ten years! Mary Thinker Ten years of torture! John Thinker It can't last much longer! John Speaker [_Who has taken her hand again, and has been patting it as a continuation of his last speech, and looking at her fondly_.] You trust us, don't you, Cousin Fanny? You really are sure of our affection, aren't you? Cousin Fanny [_To John Speaker. She shows that she really is willing to be convinced; she searches their faces wistfully; she is pathetically eager._ ] John, John, you really _do_ care for me, don't you? [_She takes a hand of each._] It isn't _all_ on account of my money, is it? If you knew I hadn't a cent, you'd still be good to me, wouldn't you? John Speaker and Mary Speaker [_Together._] Yes, yes, Cousin Fanny! Cousin Fanny If I lost it all; if I told you I'd lost it all, you'd be just the same, wouldn't you? [_John Speaker and Mary Speaker exchange glances over her head, and John Speaker drops her hand, while John Thinker grabs Mary Thinker excitedly by the arm and says quickly_:] John Thinker My God, you don't suppose she's really _lost_ it, do you? Mary Thinker No! This is just one of her cunning spells now. She can be as crafty as a witch. Cousin Fanny