FANNY (_indignantly_). Not I, indeed! He didn't ask for it, or perhaps I might! Well, the next morning he called again, and the following morning, and the morning after that--in short, every morning--and as I was always in the drawing-room, of course quite by accident-- MRS. MAJOR. You naturally became quite intimate--familiar and chatty. FANNY. _He_ didn't. _I_ did all the _chatting_ part! Never did I see any one so timid, so bashful, as Boodle. When he _did_ try to say something, there he'd stand stammering and stuttering and blushing like a school-girl! But although his tongue didn't say much, his _eyes_ did! MRS. MAJOR (_smiling_). And they said, "I love you?" FANNY. Distinctly! Well, I thought to myself it's not a bit of use going on like this. It's quite evident the poor man worships the very ground I tread upon. So when he called next day, and I told him, in _tremulous accents,_ of course, that I was going away, the effect was magical. First he turned pale, then red, then blue; then he let his hat fall, then his umbrella, then himself--on both his knees, at both my feet, and there, I believe, he would have remained till further notice, if I hadn't said to him, "Augustus"--his name is Augustus--"I won't pretend to misunderstand you. You love me! I am yours!" MRS. MAJOR. What! Such an act of thoughtlessness, of indiscretion, on your part! FANNY. Perhaps it was, but I know this: it quite cured him of his timidity; for when he once _did_ begin, I never heard anybody's tongue rattle on at such a rate as his did--never! MRS. MAJOR. And the result, I presume, was-- FANNY. That we both, then and there, exchanged vows of constancy and locks of hair! His is rather red, by-the-bye! But I see mamma coming! MRS. MAJOR. Then I'll retire. Seeing us closeted together would only arouse her ridiculous jealousy. FANNY. And I'll see if I can't find an opportunity to slip in a word about Augustus. In the mean time you'll keep my secret? MRS. MAJOR. Religiously! for your sake (_going up_). FANNY. And Boodle's. MRS. MAJOR (_turning and smiling_). And Boodle's. [_Exit at C._ _Enter MRS. PELICAN at R. H._ MRS. P. Oh, here you are, Fanny! FANNY. Yes, mamma! and quite alone. MRS. P. _Now!_ But you were not alone. FANNY. No, dear Georgina was with me. MRS. P. And "dear Georgina," no doubt, lost no opportunity of prejudicing you against your mother! FANNY. Oh, mamma! (_reproachfully_). MRS. P. But fortunately you will not long be exposed to her pernicious influence. FANNY. Oh, mamma! MRS. P. Bring a chair and sit down by me. FANNY (_sitting down by MRS. PELICAN'S side--aside_). I wonder what's coming? MRS. P. I have something serious to say to you, Fanny. FANNY. So have I to you, mamma--_very_ serious! MRS. P. Indeed! In the mean time, as I happen to be your mother, and you, consequently, happen to be my daughter, perhaps you'll allow me to begin _first?_ FANNY. Certainly.