_Jen._ Yes, and we shall see a great deal more of him; he’s going to take the Grange next door. _Spread._ (_bitterly_). That will be very convenient. _Jen._ (_demurely_). Very. _Spread._ (_jealously_). You seem to admire Captain Dampier very much. _Jen._ I think he is very good-looking. Don’t you? _Spread._ He’s well enough--for a small man. _Jen._ Perhaps he’ll grow. _Spread._ Is Captain Dampier going to live here always? _Jen._ Yes, until he marries. _Spread._ (_eagerly_). Is--is he likely to marry? _Jen._ I don’t know. (_Demurely._) Perhaps he may. _Spread._ But whom--whom? _Jen._ (_bashfully_). Haven’t you heard? I thought you knew! _Spread._ (_excitedly_). No, no, I don’t know; I’ve heard nothing. Jenny--dear Jenny--tell me the truth, don’t keep anything from me, don’t leave me to find it out; it will be terrible to hear of it out there; and, if you have ever liked me--and I’m sure you have--tell me the whole truth at once! _Jen._ (_bashfully_). Perhaps, as an old friend, I ought to have told you before; but indeed, indeed I thought you knew. Captain Dampier is engaged to be married to--to--my cousin Emmie. _Spread._ (_intensely relieved_). To your cousin Emmie. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, my dear, dear Jenny, do--do let me take your hand. (_Takes her hand and shakes it enthusiastically._) _Jen._ Are you going? _Spread._ No. (_Releasing it--much cast down._) I was going to ask you to do me a great favour, and I thought I could ask it better if I had hold of your hand. I was going to ask you if you would give me a flower--any flower, I don’t care what it is. _Jen._ (_affecting surprise_). A flower? Why, of course I will. But why? _Spread._ (_earnestly_). That I may have a token of you and of our parting wherever I go; that I may possess an emblem of you that I shall never--never part with, that I can carry about with me night and day wherever I go, throughout my whole life. _Jen._ (_apparently much affected, crosses slowly, stoops and takes up large geranium in pot_). Will this be too big? _Spread._ (_disconcerted_). But I mean a flower--only a flower. _Jen._ Oh, but do have a bunch! Wilcox shall pick you a beauty. _Spread._ No, no; I want you to pick it for me. I don’t care what it is--a daisy will do--if _you_ pick it for me! _Jen._ What an odd notion! (_Crossing to flower-stand, and picking a piece of mignonette--he puts down flower-pot by bed._) There! (_picking a flower and giving it to him_) will that do? _Spread._ I can’t tell you how inestimably I shall prize this flower. I will keep it while I live, and whatever good fortune may be in store for me, nothing can ever be so precious in my eyes. _Jen._ I had no idea you were so fond of flowers. Oh, do have some more! _Spread._ No, no--but--you must let me give you this in return; I brought it for you, Jenny dear--dear Jenny! Will you take it from me? (_Takes a rose from his button-hole, and offers it._)