CYNTHIA. [_Pointedly but with good temper._] It wasn't a buggy; it was a break cart-- [_She stands back of the arm-chair._] It's all very well to blame me! But when you married me, I'd never had a bit in my mouth! JOHN. Well, I guess I had a pretty hard hand. Do you remember the time you threw both your slippers out of the window? CYNTHIA. Yes, and do you remember the time you took my fan from me by force? JOHN. After you slapped my face with it! CYNTHIA. Oh, oh! I hardly touched your face! And do you remember the day you held my wrists? JOHN. You were going to bite me! CYNTHIA. Jack! I never! I showed my teeth at you! And I _said_ I would bite you! JOHN. Cynthia, I never knew you to break your word! [_He laughs. Casually._] And anyhow--they were awfully pretty teeth! [CYNTHIA, _though bolt upright, has ceased to seem pained._] And I say--do you remember, Cyn-- [_He leans over her armchair to talk._ CYNTHIA. [_After a pause._] You oughtn't to call me "Cyn"--it's not nice of you. It's sort of cruel. I'm not--Cyn to you now. JOHN. Awfully sorry; didn't mean to be beastly, Cyn. [CYNTHIA _turns quickly._ JOHN _stamps his foot._] Cynthia! Sorry. I'll make it a commandment: thou shalt not Cyn!! [CYNTHIA _laughs and wipes her eyes._ CYNTHIA. How can you, Jack? How can you? JOHN. Well, hang it, my dear child, I--I'm sorry, but you know I always got foolish with you. Your laugh'd make a horse laugh. Why, don't you remember that morning in the park before breakfast--when you laughed so hard your horse ran away with you! CYNTHIA. I do, I do! [_Both laugh. The door opens and_ NOGAM _comes in, unnoticed by either._] But what was it started me laughing? [_Laughing, she sits down and laughs again._] That morning. Wasn't it somebody we met? [_Laughing afresh._] Wasn't it a man on a horse? [_As her memory pieces the picture, she again goes off into laughter._ JOHN. [_Laughing too._] Of course! You didn't know him in those days! But I did! And he looked a sight in the saddle! [NOGAM, _trying to catch their attention, moves toward the table._ CYNTHIA. Who was it? JOHN. Phillimore! CYNTHIA. He's no laughing matter now. [_Seeing_ NOGAM.] Jack, he's here! JOHN. Eh? Oh, Nogam? NOGAM. Mr. Phillimore, sir-- JOHN. In the house? NOGAM. On the street in a hansom, sir--and he requests Mrs. Karslake-- JOHN. That'll do, Nogam. [NOGAM _goes out and there is a pause._ JOHN, _on his way to the window, looks at_ CYNTHIA, _who has slowly risen and turned her back to him._] Well, Cynthia? [_He speaks almost gravely and with finality._] CYNTHIA. [_Trembling._] Well? JOHN. It's the hour of decision; are you going to marry him? [_Pause._] Speak up! CYNTHIA. Jack,--I--I-- JOHN. There he is--you can join him. [_He points to the street._ CYNTHIA. Join Phillimore--and go home--with him--to his house, and Miss Heneage and-- JOHN. The door's open. [_He points to the door._