COADE (blinking). Old? Yes, I suppose so. But it is the same soft, lovable face, and the same kind, beaming smile that children could warm their hands at. MRS. COADE. He always liked my smile. PURDUE. So do we all. COADE (to himself). Emma! MRS. COADE. He hasn't forgotten my name! COADE. It is sad that we didn't meet long ago. I think I have been waiting for you. I suppose we have met too late? You couldn't overlook my being an old fellow, could you, eh? JOANNA. How lovely; he is going to propose to her again. Coady, you happy thing, he is wanting the same soft face after thirty years! MRS. COADE (undoubtedly hopeful). We mustn't be too sure, but I think that is it. (Primly.) What is it exactly that you want, Mr. Coade? COADE (under a lucky star). I want to have the right to hold the parasol over you. Won't you be my wife, my dear, and so give my long dream of you a happy ending? MRS. COADE (preening). Kisses are not called for at our age, Coady, but here is a muffler for your old neck. COADE. My muffler; I have missed it. (It is however to his forehead that his hand goes. Immediately thereafter he misses his sylvan attire.) Why ... why ... what ... who ... how is this? PURDIE (nervously). He is coming to. COADE (reeling and righting himself). Lob! (The leg indicates that he has got it.) Bless me, Coady, I went into that wood! MRS. COADE. And without your muffler, you that are so subject to chills. What are you feeling for in your pocket? COADE. The whistle. It is a whistle I--Gone! of course it is. It's rather a pity, but ... (Anxious.) Have I been saying awful things to you? MABEL. You have been making her so proud. It is a compliment to our whole sex. You had a second chance, and it is her, again! COADE. Of course it is. (Crestfallen.) But I see I was just the same nice old lazy Coady as before; and I had thought that if I had a second chance, I could do things. I have often said to you, Coady, that it was owing to my being cursed with a competency that I didn't write my great book. But I had no competency this time, and I haven't written a word. PURDIE (bitterly enough). That needn't make you feel lonely in this house. MRS. COADE (in a small voice). You seem to have been quite happy as an old bachelor, dear. COADE. I am surprised at myself, Emma, but I fear I was. MRS. COADE (with melancholy perspicacity). I wonder if what it means is that you don't especially need even me. I wonder if it means that you are just the sort of amiable creature that would be happy anywhere, and anyhow? COADE. Oh dear, can it be as bad as that! JOANNA (a ministering angel she). Certainly not. It is a romance, and I won't have it looked upon as anything else. MRS. COADE. Thank you, Joanna. You will try not to miss that whistle, Coady? COADE (getting the footstool for her). You are all I need. MRS. COADE. Yes; but I am not so sure as I used to be that it is a great compliment. JOANNA. Coady, behave. (There is a knock on the window.)