MRS. DOT. Well, because he’s clever, and handsome, and amusing. AUNT ELIZA. He’s not really very clever, you know. MRS. DOT. Of course he isn’t. He’s as stupid as an owl. I’ve told him so till I’m blue in the face. AUNT ELIZA. And he’s not really very good-looking, is he? MRS. DOT. On the contrary, I think he’s rather plain. AUNT ELIZA. I suppose you find him amusing? MRS. DOT. Not at all. I find him dull. AUNT ELIZA. Then, perhaps, you can find me some other explanation. MRS. DOT. Well, I’m head over ears in love with him. AUNT ELIZA. But why, my dear? Why? MRS. DOT. Because I am. That’s the most conclusive reason possible. And I’ve set my heart on marrying him. And the more obstacles there are the more I mean to marry him. AUNT ELIZA. I can’t imagine why you hadn’t the sense to fall in love with one of the various eligible persons who want to marry you. MRS. DOT. But he _does_ want to marry me. He’s desperately in love with me. AUNT ELIZA. I should have thought he could find a better way of showing it than by getting engaged to somebody else. MRS. DOT. He’s a sentimentalist, like all his sex. Good heavens, what a mess the world would get into if it weren’t for the practical common sense of the average women. AUNT ELIZA. And what do you propose to do? MRS. DOT. That’s just it. I don’t in the least know. They’ll all be here in half an hour, and I haven’t the shadow of a scheme. I lie awake all night racking my brains, and I can’t think of anything. AUNT ELIZA. Why did you ask them to come here? MRS. DOT. I thought I might hit upon something if they were under my eyes. Gerald had promised to spend Whitsun with me and, so that he shouldn’t put me off, I asked the Sellengers, too. Lady Sellenger was only too glad to get a week’s board and lodging for nothing. [_The sound is heard of a motor stopping._] There’s Jimmie Blenkinsop. I told you he was going to motor down in time for luncheon, didn’t I? [BLENKINSOP _comes in with_ FREDDIE. FREDDIE _has on a gay tweed suit_.] Jimmie! BLENKINSOP. How d’you do? [_He shakes hands with_ MRS. DOT _and_ AUNT ELIZA. MRS. DOT. Now we’ll have luncheon. You must be starving with hunger. BLENKINSOP. You must let me wash first. MRS. DOT. No, we’re all far too hungry. Freddie will go and wash his hands for you. [_She rings half a dozen times quickly on a little bell on the table._ FREDDIE. I shall be back in one minute. [_He goes out._ MRS. DOT. Now sit down. I’m perfectly ravenous. [THE BUTLER _and the_ FOOTMAN _bring in luncheon, which is eaten during the next scene_. AUNT ELIZA. I perceive that the tender passion hasn’t in the least interfered with your appetite. MRS. DOT. Oh, my dear James, I’m so unhappy. BLENKINSOP. You look it. MRS. DOT. By the way, how do I look? BLENKINSOP. All right. You’ve changed your cook. MRS. DOT. Hang my cook. BLENKINSOP. I wouldn’t if I were you. She’s very good. MRS. DOT.