GERALD (taking her hands). Who? Bob? Oh yes, he's all right. So is Pamela. PAMELA. Sure? GERALD. Oh yes, he's all right. PAMELA. I take rather a motherly interest in Bob, you know. What was worrying him? GERALD (smiling). His arithmetic again; compound interest. His masters are very pleased with his progress in English. And he wants more pocket-money. He says that fourpence a week doesn't give him enough scope. PAMELA (smiling). But he really is all right? GERALD. Well, I've got to go up on Thursday to see his House Master--I mean I've got to go up to town on Thursday. PAMELA (drawing back). Thursday? That was _our_ day, Gerald. GERALD. Yes, I know; it's a confounded nuisance. PAMELA (slowly). Yes, it is rather a--nuisance. GERALD. I'm awfully sorry, darling. I hate it just as much as you do. PAMELA. I wonder if you do. GERALD (shaking his head at her). Oh, woman, woman! And you asked me to be kind to Bob. PAMELA. It is for Bob? He really does want you? GERALD. He thinks I can help him if I go up on Thursday. (Smiling) We aren't going to quarrel about that. PAMELA (holding out her hand to him). Come along. Of course we aren't going to quarrel--I don't think I could quarrel with you for more than five minutes. Only--you make me wonder sometimes. GERALD (getting up and taking her arm). What do you wonder about? PAMELA. Oh--things. [They go out into the garden together.] ACT II [It is a quiet old-fashioned hotel which SIR JAMES and LADY FARRINGDON patronize in Dover Street on their occasional visits to London. Their private sitting-room is furnished in heavy early Victorian style. A couple of gloomy palms help to decorate the room, on whose walls are engravings of Landseer's masterpieces.] [MASON, a faithful kindly body, once nurse, now familiar servant, is at the table arranging flowers, in a gallant attempt to make the room more cheerful. As she fills each vase she takes it to its place, steps back to consider the effect, and returns to fill the next one. GERALD, in London clothes as attractive as ever, but looking none rather serious, discovers her at work.] GERALD. Hullo, Nanny, when did you come? MASON. This morning, sir. Her ladyship telegraphed for me. GERALD (smiling affectionately at her). Whenever there's any trouble about, we send for Nanny. I wonder she ever came to London without you. MASON. I told her I'd better come, but she wouldn't listen to me. Dear, dear! there _is_ trouble about now Master Gerald. GERALD. Yes. MASON. I thought a few flowers would cheer us up. I said to Mr. Underhill before I started, "Give me some flowers to take with me," I said, "so that I can make the place look more homey and comfortable for her ladyship." GERALD. And you have. No one like Nanny for that. MASON (timidly). Is there any news of Master Bob this morning? Of course, we've all been reading about it in the papers. They're not going to send him to prison? GERALD. I'm afraid they are.