GERALD (as he goes). You're just the person I wanted, Aunt Tabitha. I'm full of news. (He kisses her at the top of the stairs.) How are you, dear? (He offers her his arm.) MISS FARRINGDON. If I had wanted help, down the stairs, Gerald, my maid could have given it me. GERALD. Yes, but your maid wouldn't have enjoyed giving it you; I do. MISS FARRINGDON. Charming Gerald. (She comes down the stairs on his arm.) GERALD. No, happy Gerald. MISS FARRINGDON. Is that part of the news? GERALD. It's all because of the news. (He arranges her in her chair by the fire and sits on the coffin-stool near her.) MISS FARRINGDON. I heard Mr. Todd and Letty just now, so I suppose I shan't be the first to hear it. What a pity! GERALD. Ah, but they don't count. MISS FARRINGDON. Why not? GERALD. Well, that's part of the news. They've just got engaged. MISS FARRINGDON. In my young days they'd have been engaged a long time ago. When are we going to see Pamela again? GERALD. That's more of the news. She's coming down to-morrow. MISS FARRINGDON. That will save you a lot in stamps. GERALD (laughing). Aunt Tabitha, you're a witch. How did you know? MISS FARRINGDON. Know what? GERALD. That Pamela and I haven't been writing to each other. MISS FARRINGDON (very innocently). Haven't you? GERALD. No. You see--oh, I hate discussing Pamela with anyone, but you're different. MISS FARRINGDON. I always like that sort of compliment best, Gerald. The unintended sort. GERALD. I think, you know, Pamela felt that Bob's doing to prison might make a difference. I don't mean that she didn't like the disgrace for herself, but that she was afraid that I mightn't like it for her; and so she went away, and beyond a letter or two at the start there hasn't been a Pamela. MISS FARRINGDON. But Gerald went on being successful? GERALD. Oh, Aunt Tabitha, Aunt Tabitha, if ever I were going to be conceited--and I don't think I am really--you'd soon stop it, wouldn't you? I wonder if you _do_ know me as well as you think. You think I'm all outside, don't you, and inside there's nothing? MISS FARRINGDON. Oh, you've got brains, I'll grant you that. You're the first Farringdon that's had any. Of the men, of course. GERALD. Oh, brains--I don't mean brains. But you think that everything only touches me on the surface, and that nothing ever goes deep inside. You don't believe I ever loved Pamela; you don't believe I love her now. You don't believe I've got a heart at all. MISS FARRINGDON. Well, you've never shown it. You've shown a lot of delightful things which silly people mistake for it--but that's all. GERALD (curtly). No, I've never shown my heart to anybody. Some people can't. (Gently) Perhaps I'll show it to Pamela on my wedding-day. MISS FARRINGDON. Dear me, have I been wrong all these years? I shouldn't like to think that. (After a pause) Any more news? GERALD (taking his thoughts off PAMELA). Yes. Now _this_ time, Aunt Tabitha, you'll really be as pleased as I am.