BROOME. Of course. I see ma'am that you're not like to think as your son and my daughter's a fair match but I tell you-- MRS. BROOME. Now, John. MRS. TIMBRELL. It's a very good match for him. BROOME. Eh? MRS. TIMBRELL. He's lucky to marry such a girl as Mary. BROOME. He's not up to much himself, isn't he? MRS. TIMBRELL. I didn't say that. BROOME. He seems to be kep' rather short of brass. MRS. TIMBRELL. [_Sees the flowers in her hands._] Oh! I brought you these, Mary. MARY. [_Takes them._] Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Mrs. Timbrell. BROOME. [_Rather truculantly._] That baby'll get a fat lot o' good out o' them. MRS. TIMBRELL. Is the baby ill, Mary? MARY. I keep fancying he's not so well. His father's gone for the doctor. MRS. TIMBRELL. Have you seen him, Mrs. Broome? MRS. BROOME. Not yet. Will you take me, Mary? We must be going directly. MARY. Come on, then. [_Looking at the others._] Would you like?-- BROOME. Not me. MRS. TIMBRELL. Yes, I'd like to see him. BROOME. I thought, p'raps, you'd just like a word with me ma'am. MRS. TIMBRELL. Oh! well--Presently, Mary, I'll just talk to Mr. Broome. [_MARY and MRS. BROOME go out._] Well, Mr. Broome and what have you got to say? BROOME. What 'ave I got to say? MRS. TIMBRELL. You look like a man who has something to say. BROOME. I've a good deal to say if it's any good saying it. What's it all mean? MRS. TIMBRELL. Yes, that's the point. Is it any good saying it? That's just what I feel more and more Mr. Broome. I used to want to say things and now I say to myself. Is it any good? I believe we think very much alike about it. BROOME. But a man has his feelings and so he's got somethin' to say. MRS. TIMBRELL. That's exactly what I think, Mr. Broome. I want to talk to relieve my feelings, not that I think it will do any good. Least said, soonest mended, I suppose. I agree with you. BROOME. [_Flattered._] I've no wish to make myself onpleasant only-- MRS. TIMBRELL. I was sure you hadn't. BROOME. Only--I want to know how your son-- MRS. TIMBRELL. Hark! Is that somebody coming in? I wonder if he's got the doctor. BROOME. I'm not one as interferes where there's no call for it but-- MRS. TIMBRELL. Anyone can see that Mr. Broome. BROOME. But--I mean to say--what I'm sayin' is-- MRS. TIMBRELL. I believe it is the doctor. BROOME. I'm on'y a poor cabman. You're too clever for me. MRS. TIMBRELL. Don't worry your daughter. Don't be always asking her to explain things. Your wife sees that. BROOME. I'm her father. I think there's something due to me. MRS. TIMBRELL. That's where we parents make the mistake. BROOME. Well, I can see a bit and I think the young man has acted fair. [_LEONARD enters._] LEONARD. Your wife's going, Mr. Broome. MRS. TIMBRELL. What does the doctor say? LEONARD. He's just looking at the kid--nothing serious, I think. MRS. TIMBRELL. Mary's with him, I suppose? [_She goes out slowly._] BROOME. Now, sir, I thought I'd just like to have a word with you.