BOBBIE (_joyfully--taking her hands_). Oh, Faith we'll have the most wonderful times in the world--just you and me together; say you're happy, say you're excited about it. FAITH. I'm absolutely thrilled--I'm----SPACELEFT(BOBBIE _sees_ MRS. CROMBIE. _Picks up papers on floor to hide his confusion._) (_Enter_ MRS. CROMBIE. _They get up._) MRS. CROMBIE (_going_ L.C.). You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, sitting indoors on a lovely day like this. (FAITH _giggles._) Heaven knows we get little enough good air in town, without wasting it when we get into the country. FAITH. Mother, something important has happened. (_By front of couch._) BOBBIE (_sincere_). Look here, Faith, you must let me tell her--it's my job, I won't shirk it. FAITH. Don't be silly, Bobbie, go into the garden, there's a darling--I'll come out in a minute or two. BOBBIE. But--but---- FAITH. Do be sensible. BOBBIE. Oh, all right.... (_Goes up between Chesterfield and fireplace, and exits into garden._) MRS. CROMBIE. You are a little fool, Faith. Fancy flirting with that--the elder one has much more in him. FAITH. But I don't like Oliver so much, his chin's so scrubby. MRS. CROMBIE. Oliver is a steady man with an assured career in front of him--this one---- FAITH. Mother, we're engaged! MRS. CROMBIE. Of course you are. That has been perfectly obvious from the moment I passed the window. Now of course we have all the trouble of getting you disengaged again. Really you are very tiresome. (_Below table._) FAITH. Mother, how can you be so horrid, you will _not_ understand! Bobbie has ever so much better prospects than Oliver. MRS. CROMBIE. Who said so? Bobbie? FAITH. Yes, but it's true; his Uncle is going to leave him a huge fortune in a year's time. MRS. CROMBIE. Which Uncle? (_Takes out cigarette from case._) FAITH. He's only got one--Daniel Davis. He landed in England yesterday, and is coming down here to-day. Eighteen months ago the doctor said he only had three years to live---- MRS. CROMBIE. I've been caught like that before. (_Crosses to mantelpiece for matches._) FAITH. Why, how do you mean? MRS. CROMBIE. Experience has taught me one thing, and that is that in this world people _never_ die when they're expected to. (_Sits on Chesterfield._) The old man will probably live to a ripe old age, then where would you be? FAITH. Well, anyhow Bobbie makes quite a lot out of his songs. (_Sits in armchair._) MRS. CROMBIE. Don't be childish, Faith. You know perfectly well I should never allow you to marry a man without a settled income--prospects never kept anyone. Besides, if any of them get the uncle's money it will be Oliver--he's the eldest. (_Lights cigarette._) FAITH (_in chair_ L.C.). That's where you are wrong, mother. Just before he sailed back to America, he took Bobbie aside and told him in confidence that he was the one he meant to leave everything to. Of course the others mustn't know because it would be favouritism--don't you see?