I sometimes think it would be better to quarrel outright now and then than be always so desperately polite to one another. GERALD. I’m afraid I have an admirable temper. NELLIE. Mother always says you have all the virtues. GERALD. Shall we look at the _Sketch_ together? NELLIE. We’ve looked at the _Sketch_ together three times. [_Following his eye, which goes to other illustrated papers on the table._] And the _Illustrated_, and the _Sphere_, and the _Graphic_. GERALD. Then what would you like to do? NELLIE. I should like to SCREAM. GERALD. Would you, by George? So would I. NELLIE. Oh, Gerald, let’s have a good scream together. _Enter_ LADY SELLENGER _and_ MRS. DOT. LADY SELLENGER. [_With a bland smile._] What a picture they make! MRS. DOT. [_Acidly._] It’s quite charming to see two young things so engrossed in one another’s society. LADY SELLENGER. Now, you really mustn’t waste this beautiful afternoon. You must go and have a nice long walk together. NELLIE. We had a nice long walk this morning. MRS. DOT. [_Sweetly._] Then why don’t you go on the river? You can take your tea with you and spend the whole afternoon there. GERALD. We spent the whole afternoon on the river yesterday, and you kindly gave us our tea to take with us. LADY SELLENGER. It reminds me of the happy days when I was engaged to your poor father, Nellie. We were just like you and Gerald. We couldn’t bear to be out of one another’s sight. Now, run and get your hat, darling. NELLIE. Oh, mamma, I’ve got the most dreadful headache that I’ve ever had in my life, and I must really go and lie down. LADY SELLENGER. Nonsense. An afternoon in the fresh air with Gerald is just the thing to put you right. GERALD. I’m so sorry, but I have some very important letters to write. I _must_ catch the post. MRS. DOT. [_Sweetly._] You’ll have lots of time when you come in. The post doesn’t go till after dinner. LADY SELLENGER. If you make excuses like that, poor Nellie will think she bores you already. GERALD. In that case I shall be only too glad to go on the river. MRS. DOT. Take my sunshade, darling. You won’t want a hat. NELLIE. [_Savagely._] Thank you, dear. [NELLIE _and_ GERALD _go out gloomily_. LADY SELLENGER. Just like humming-birds, aren’t they? MRS. DOT. Do you mean turtle-doves by any chance? LADY SELLENGER. I was never very good at natural history.... Dear Mrs. Worthley, I must really thank you for the tact with which you’ve thrown Gerald and Nellie in one another’s society every moment of the day. MRS. DOT. I can flatter myself that _they’ve_ thoroughly enjoyed their week here. [AUNT ELIZA, _comes in with_ BLENKINSOP. LADY SELLENGER. [_With a look of intelligence._] Dear Mr. Blenkinsop, you wicked, wicked cynic. [_Meaningly._] I shall go and lie down. Are you coming upstairs, Miss MacGregor? AUNT ELIZA. In one minute. LADY SELLENGER.