TENNANT. I'm just going round to Carter's. Anything you want? [_Pause._] I suppose Leslie had something to say about me? CHAR. He doesn't want to come _with_ you. _TENNANT laughs._ You don't seem to know much about it, but I suppose you've fixed on a town. Sydney? TENNANT. No, Brisbane. [_Pulling out a map._] The chap I know is cattle raising. Look! _He opens the map on the table: they both lean over it, CHARLEY'S burnt-out pipe still in his hand._ We're going to Brisbane, then this way [_moving his finger_] across Queensland. He knows something at Merivale--here--see--in the Darling district. Then we shall push on to Maronoa--that's the county--we're going to a tiny place--Terramoa--but of course I mayn't get anything-- CHAR. [_who is practically lying over the map._] Not fruit-farming then? That's more my line. TENNANT. No. If ever you thought of that--see--this is a good district--I heard of a man there once--see--this way--Ship to Sydney--Vineyards and all sorts--suit you. CHARLEY. U-m! Or one could go this way. [_Pointing with his pipe._] _LILY'S voice heard calling "Charley"--TENNANT stands upright._ LILY. [_enters--laughing._] Charley! What are you doing? _CHARLEY jumps up and TENNANT folds up the map._ Looking at the plans? TENNANT. I'm off. _Goes out._ LILY. Finished gardening already, dear? CHARLEY. [_putting on his coat._] Don't feel like it. LILY. [_holding out a newspaper._] Look here, dear, this will do for us, I think. CHARLEY. [_glancing round._] What is it? LILY. An advertisement. [_Reading._] "Wanted, by Young Man, board--residence in quiet family within easy reach of city. Western suburb preferred." I must answer it. CHARLEY. I say--give Tennant a chance to get out first. LILY. But he is going, dear, so there's no risk. And it's such a good chance. Besides, we can ask Mr. Tennant for a reference. CHARLEY. [_sharply._] No, don't. Surely we can exist a week without anybody. LILY. Oh, yes! Only I thought--it's a pity to miss--You don't want Mr. Tennant to go, do you, dear? He is nice company for you. CHARLEY. He's a nice chap. But you needn't get lodgers to keep me company. LILY. [_laughs._] What an idea! Of course not. CHARLEY. [_going to her and turning her face towards him._] I say, Lil, aren't you ever dull here? LILY. No--well--hardly ever. There's always something to do. What a question! CHARLEY. Don't you ever get sick of it? It's jolly hard work sometimes. [_He takes her hands and looks at them, stroking them as if unconsciously._] Why they're getting quite rough. [_She pulls them away._] LILY. It's the washing, dear. It does roughen your hands. CHARLEY. [_taking them again and kissing them._] They weren't rough when we married. LILY. [_she turns away._] You silly boy, of course they weren't. I never did washing at home. What do you think, dear? Maggie is going to be married. CHARLEY. [_with little interest._] To Foster? LILY. Yes. Isn't she lucky? He's quite well off.