MISS FANNY (_greedily_). 'On eyes, mouth----' MISS WILLOUGHBY (_sternly_). Stop. Miss Susan, I am indeed surprised you should bring such an amazing, indelicate tale from the library. MISS SUSAN (_with a slight shudder_). I deeply regret, Miss Willoughby---- (_Sees_ MISS FANNY _reading quickly to herself._) Oh, Fanny! If you please, my dear. (_Takes the book gently from her._) MISS WILLOUGHBY. I thank you. (_She knits severely._) MISS FANNY (_a little rebel_). Miss Susan is looking at the end. (MISS SUSAN _closes the book guiltily._) MISS SUSAN (_apologetically_). Forgive my partiality for romance, Mary. I fear 'tis the mark of an old maid. MISS WILLOUGHBY. Susan, that word! MISS SUSAN (_sweetly_). 'Tis what I am. And you also, Mary, my dear. MISS FANNY (_defending her sister_). Miss Susan, I protest. MISS WILLOUGHBY (_sternly truthful_). Nay, sister, 'tis true. We are known everywhere now, Susan, you and I, as the old maids of Quality Street. (_General discomfort._) MISS SUSAN. I am happy Phoebe will not be an old maid. MISS HENRIETTA (_wistfully_). Do you refer, Miss Susan, to V. B.? (MISS SUSAN _smiles happily to herself._) MISS SUSAN. Miss Phoebe of the ringlets as he has called her. MISS FANNY. Other females besides Miss Phoebe have ringlets. MISS SUSAN. But you and Miss Henrietta have to employ papers, my dear. (_Proudly_) Phoebe, never. MISS WILLOUGHBY (_in defence of_ FANNY). I do not approve of Miss Phoebe at all. MISS SUSAN (_flushing_). Mary, had Phoebe been dying you would have called her an angel, but that is ever the way. 'Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse. (_Her guests rise, hurt._) My love, I beg your pardon. MISS WILLOUGHBY. With your permission, Miss Susan, I shall put on my pattens. (MISS SUSAN _gives permission almost haughtily, and the ladies retire to the bedroom,_ MISS FANNY _remaining behind a moment to ask a question._) MISS FANNY. A bride? Miss Susan, do you mean that V. B. has declared? MISS SUSAN. Fanny, I expect it hourly. (MISS SUSAN, _left alone, is agitated by the terrible scene with_ MISS WILLOUGHBY.) (_Enter_ PHOEBE _in her bonnet, and we see at once that she really is the nicest. She is so flushed with delightful news that she almost forgets to take off her pattens before crossing the blue and white room._) MISS SUSAN. You seem strangely excited, Phoebe. PHOEBE. Susan, I have met a certain individual. MISS SUSAN. V. B.? (PHOEBE _nods several times, and her gleaming eyes tell_ MISS SUSAN _as much as if they were a romance from the library._) My dear, you are trembling. PHOEBE (_bravely_). No--oh no. MISS SUSAN. You put your hand to your heart. PHOEBE. Did I? MISS SUSAN (_in a whisper_). My love, has he offered? PHOEBE (_appalled_). Oh, Susan. (_Enter_ MISS WILLOUGHBY, _partly cloaked._)