I’ve told Miss Sellenger that you’ve got some most awfully good carrots. MRS. DOT. [_As they go to the house._] That’s not the way, you know. NELLIE. [_Coolly._] I’m only just going to get a handkerchief. MRS. DOT. Oh, I see. I beg your pardon. [_They go._ GERALD _comes forward. He is rather grave and solemn._ MRS. DOT. What a picture they make, don’t they? I can’t tell you how much I like Nellie. GERALD. You’ve come to the conclusion that the cut of her skirt’s all right. MRS. DOT. Ah, you mustn’t recall what I said when I was in a temper. You know, I’m rather touched by her obvious affection for you. GERALD. It’s very good of you to say so. MRS. DOT. It’s so nice to see two people head over ears in love with one another. GERALD. I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to think Nellie was so much in love with me as all that. MRS. DOT. My dear boy, I’ve just had proof of it. GERALD. Have you? That’s more than I have. MRS. DOT. And is dear Lady Sellenger going to live with you when you’re married? GERALD. Look here, Dot, what’s the meaning of all this? MRS. DOT. [_Much surprised._] Of what? GERALD. Why did you ask us all down? MRS. DOT. Because I’m of a hospitable turn of mind. Didn’t you want to come? I’m so sorry. GERALD. You’ve utterly ignored me since I arrived. MRS. DOT. [_Ironically._] Much as I should have liked to devote myself exclusively to your entertainment, I’ve been really obliged to remember that my other guests had equal claims upon me. GERALD. I should very much like to take you by the shoulders and give you a good shaking. MRS. DOT. I don’t think you’re in a very good temper to-day. GERALD. [_Crossly._] Pardon me, I’m in the best possible temper. MRS. DOT. You certainly ought to be with the prospect of spending a week in almost uninterrupted _tête-à-tête_ with the object of your affections. GERALD. I can’t make you out. You’re so changed since last we met. MRS. DOT. You see, last time I thought I was in love with you. Now I know I’m not. GERALD. [_Bitterly._] I’m glad you’ve got over it so quickly. MRS. DOT. Really, you couldn’t wish me to continue eating my heart out for a young man, however charming, who is going to marry somebody else. GERALD. Of course not. MRS. DOT. [_Mockingly._] Well? GERALD. I was a fool to think you ever cared at all. MRS. DOT. But why should you think it when you took the greatest pains to assure me that you didn’t care two straws for me? GERALD. [_Quickly._] I didn’t! MRS. DOT. You did! GERALD. I didn’t! MRS. DOT. Then you did care for me? GERALD. I never said that. MRS. DOT. Anyhow, whatever your sentiments were, it would gratify your self-esteem to think that I was languishing with a hopeless passion. GERALD. It’s cruel of you to laugh at me. MRS. DOT. By the way, are you by any chance in love with me now? GERALD. You have no right to ask me that question. MRS. DOT.