_The time is sunset of a day in early spring_. _The youthful Lord Bantock is expected home with his newly wedded wife this evening_; _and the two Misses Wetherell_, _his aunts_, _have been busy decorating the room with flowers_, _and are nearing the end of their labours_. _The two Misses Wetherell have grown so much alike it would be difficult for a stranger to tell one from the other_; _and to add to his confusion they have fallen into the habit of dressing much alike in a fashion of their own that went out long ago_, _while the hair of both is white_, _and even in their voices they have caught each other’s tones_. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [_she has paused from her work and is looking out of the windows_]. Such a lovely sunset, dear. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [_she leaves her work and joins her sister_. _The two stand holding each other’s hands_, _looking out_]. Beautiful! [_A silence_. _The sun is streaming full into the room_.] You—you don’t think, dear, that this room—[_she looks round it_]—may possibly be a little _too_ sunny to quite suit her? THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [_not at first understanding_]. How, dear, _too_ sun—[_She grasps the meaning_.] You mean—you think that perhaps she does that sort of thing? THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. Well, dear, one is always given to understand that they do, women—ladies of her profession. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. It seems to me so wicked: painting God’s work. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. We mustn’t judge hardly, dear. Besides, dear, we don’t know yet that she does. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Perhaps she’s young, and hasn’t commenced it. I fancy it’s only the older ones that do it. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. He didn’t mention her age, I remember. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. No, dear, but I feel she’s young. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I do hope she is. We may be able to mould her. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. We must be very sympathetic. One can accomplish so much with sympathy. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. We must get to understand her. [_A sudden thought_.] Perhaps, dear, we may get to like her. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [_doubtful_]. We might _try_, dear. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. For Vernon’s sake. The poor boy seems so much in love with her. We must— _Bennet has entered_. _He is the butler_. BENNET. Doctor Freemantle. I have shown him into the library. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. Thank you, Bennet. Will you please tell him that we shall be down in a few minutes? I must just finish these flowers. [_She returns to the table_.] THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Why not ask him to come up here? We could consult him—about the room. He always knows everything. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. A good idea. Please ask him, Bennet, if he would mind coming up to us here. [_Bennet_, _who has been piling up fresh logs upon the fire_, _turns to go_.] Oh, Bennet! You will remind Charles to put a footwarmer in the carriage!