[_Vernon throws up his hands in despair_. _They all laugh_.] FANNY. I think I shall dress you differently; put you in blue and you in pink. [_She laughs_.] Is this the drawing-room? VERNON. Your room, dear. FANNY. I like a room where one can stretch one’s legs. [_She walks across it_.] A little too much desk [_referring to a massive brass-bound desk_, _facing the three windows_]. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. It belonged to the elder Pitt. FANNY. Um! Suppose we must find a corner for it somewhere. That’s a good picture. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. It is by Hoppner. FANNY. One of your artist friends? VERNON. Well—you see, dear, that’s a portrait of my great-grandmother, painted from life. FANNY [_she whistles_]. I am awfully ignorant on some topics. One good thing, I always was a quick study. Not a bad-looking woman. THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. We are very proud of her. She was the first— VERNON [_hastily_]. We will have her history some other time. THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [_who understands_, _signs to her sister_]. Of course. She’s tired. We are forgetting everything. You will have some tea, won’t you, dear? FANNY. No, thanks. We had tea in the train. [_With the more or less helpful assistance of Vernon she divests herself of her outdoor garments_.] THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [_she holds up her hands in astonishment_]. Tea in the train! THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. We were not expecting you so soon. You said in your telegram— VERNON. Oh, it was raining in London. We thought we would come straight on—leave our shopping for another day. FANNY. I believe you were glad it was raining. Saved you such a lot of money. Old Stingy! THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Then did you walk from the station, dear? FANNY. Didn’t it seem a long way? [_She laughs up into his face_.] He was so bored. [_Vernon laughs_.] THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I had better tell—[_She is going towards the bell_.] VERNON [_he stops her_]. Oh, let them alone. Plenty of time for all that fuss. [_He puts them both gently side by side on the settee_.] Sit down and talk. Haven’t I been clever? [_He puts his arm round Fanny_, _laughing_.] You thought I had made an ass of myself, didn’t you? Did you get all my letters? THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I think so, dear. FANNY [_she is sitting in an easy-chair_. _Vernon seats himself on the arm_]. Do you know I’ve never had a love-letter from you? VERNON. You gave me no time. She met me a month ago, and married me last week. FANNY. It was quick work. He came—he saw—I conquered! [_Laughs_.] THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. They say that love at first sight is often the most lasting. VERNON [_he puts his arm around her_]. You are sure you will never regret having given up the stage? The excitement, the—