JESSIE (_very rapidly_). That I know _why_ you got fisti--fisti--you know--with your servant; that it wasn't about Martha at all; that all my guardian said about you was a great big story! JACK. Oh! oh! So old Jogtrot has been poking his ugly nose into my affairs again, has he? (_Savagely._) I'll wring it off! JESSIE (_holding up her finger_). Now listen to me, Cousin Jack; if you cannot and do not control that dreadfully peppery temper of yours-- JACK (_very quickly_). But I _will!_ I swear it by--by this (_taking small hand-bell off table_). Now, Jessie, if ever you see me getting the least little bit frantic, you've only to-- JESSIE. I understand (_taking bell and ringing it_). JACK. That's it! JESSIE (_looking towards C._). Here comes my guardian; now do as I tell you. Go over there (_pointing; JACK moves a few paces from her_); farther than that! Now cross your arms (_JACK obeys_); look sulky! JACK. This sort of thing? (_putting on a sulky look_). JESSIE. Worse than that (_JACK puts on a hideous grimace_). That's better! Now turn your back to me (_JACK obeys; JESSIE also turns her back on JACK_). JACK (_looking round_). Isn't there time just for one kiss? JESSIE. No--no. JACK. Only a tiny one! JESSIE. Hush! (_they both hastily resume their positions back to back_). _Enter JOGTROT at C._ JOGTROT (_seeing them_). Dos-à-dos! The lady pouting--the gentleman frowning! Then the storm I contrived to raise is still at its height (_coming down and touching JACK on the shoulder; JACK turns to him with an intensely savage expression of face, making JOGTROT start back_). JOGTROT (_in a soothing tone_). Cheer up, my gallant young friend; the sex, you know, is capricious--"sipping each flower, changing each hour." It is sad--very sad! JACK (_sulkily_). For _me,_ not for _you,_ who have always opposed my marriage with my cousin. JOGTROT. I? On the contrary, not ten minutes ago I asked her if she had any lingering affection for you, and her answer was-- JESSIE. That I would marry Mr. Chirper. JOGTROT. There, there! you hear? JESSIE. Yes, but (_imitating JOGTROT_), "the sex is so capricious," you know--"sipping each flower, changing each hour." So now, Guardy, I'll marry Jack, please (_bobbing a courtesy; then running to JACK, who takes her in his arms_). JOGTROT (_shouting_). Stop! that's all wrong (_seeing MRS. TARLETAN and CHIRPER, who enter at C._). You're just in time, madam! There's a gigantic, a colossal mistake here! MRS. T. (_smiling_). A mistake? Not at all! JOGTROT. Not at all! Am I to understand, then, madam, that after the deplorable--scandalous scene of this morning-- MRS. T. Which has been fully explained, and will never be repeated! JACK. Never! I've sworn it (_looking at JESSIE and pointing to the small bell on the table_). No more tempers, no more "little pets."