_Culch._ It's quite impossible to make them hear down there, and it's no fault of ours if their voices reach us occasionally. And it _does_ seem to me, PODBURY, that, in a matter which may be of vital importance to me--to us both--it would be absurd to be over-scrupulous. But of course you will please yourself. _I_ intend to remain where I am. [_PODBURY makes a faint-hearted attempt to go, but ends by resigning himself to the situation._ _Miss T.'s V._ Now, HYPATIA PRENDERGAST, don't tell _me_ you're not interested in him! And he's more real suited to you than ever Mr. PODBURY was. Now, isn't that _so_? _Culch._ (_withdrawing his head_). Did you hear, PODBURY? She's actually pleading for me! _Isn't_ she an angel? Be quiet, now. I must hear the answer! _Miss P.'s V._ I--I don't know, really. But, MAUD, I want to speak to you about--Somebody. You can't think how he adores you, poor fellow! I have noticed it for a long time. _Podb._ (_beaming_). CULCHARD! You heard? She's putting in a word for me. What a brick that girl is! _Miss T.'s V._ I guess he's pretty good at concealing his feelings, then. He's been keeping far enough away! _Miss P.'s V._ That was _my_ fault. I _kept_ him by me. You see, I believed you had quite decided to accept Mr. CULCHARD. _Miss T.'s V._ Well, it does strike me that, considering he was adoring me all this time, he let himself be managed tolerable easy. [_PODBURY shakes his head in protestation._ _Miss P.'s V._ Ah, but let me explain. I could only keep him quiet by threatening to go home by myself, and dear BOB is such a devoted brother that-- _Podb._ Brother! I say. CULCHARD, she can't be meaning _BOB_ all this time! She _can't_! Can she now? _Culch._ How on earth can _I_ tell? If it is so, you must be a philosopher, my dear fellow, and bear it--that's all. _Miss P.'s V._ That _does_ alter the case, doesn't it? And I may tell him there's some hope for him? You mustn't judge him by what he is with his friend, Mr. PODBURY. BOB has such a _much_ stronger and finer character! _Miss T.'s V._ Oh well, if he couldn't stand up more on his edge than Mr. PODBURY! Not that I mind Mr. PODBURY any, there's no harm in him, but he's too real frivolous to amount to much. _Podb._ (_collapsing_). Frivolous! From _her_ too! Oh, hang it _all_! [_He buries his head in his hands with a groan._ _Miss T.'s V._ Well, see here, HYPATIA. I'll take your brother on trial for a spell, to oblige you--there. I cann't say more at present. And now--about the other. I want to know just how you feel about him. _Culch._ The _other_!--that's Me! I wish to goodness you wouldn't make all that noise, PODBURY, just when it's getting interesting! _Miss P.'s V._ (_very low_). What is the good? Nothing will bring him back--_now_! _Culch._ Nothing? How little she knows me!