MRS. KNOWLE (with a happy smile, hoping for the best). Yes, my darling. MELISANDE (going to the windows). That's right. (She stops at the windows and holds out her hands to the night)-- The moon shines bright: In such a night as this When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees And they did make no noise, in such a night Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls, And sighed his soul towards the Grecian tents, Where Cressid lay that night. In such a night Stood Dido with a willow in her hand, Upon the wild sea banks, and waft her love To come again to Carthage. (She stays there a moment, and then says in a thrilling voice) In such a night! Ah! [She goes to it. MRS. KNOWLE (in a different voice). Ah! . . . Well, Mr. Coote? BOBBY (turning back to her with a start). Oh--er--yes? MRS. KNOWLE. No, I think I must call you Bobby. I may call you Bobby, mayn't I? BOBBY. Oh, please do, Mrs. Knowle. MRS. KNOWLE (archly). Not Mrs. Knowle! Can't you think of a better name? BOBBY (wondering if he ought to call her MARY). Er--I'm--I'm afraid I don't quite-- MRS. KNOWLE. Mother. BOBBY. Oh, but I say-- MRS. KNOWLE (giving him her hand). And now come and sit on the sofa with me, and tell me all about it. (They go to the sofa together.) BOBBY. But I say, Mrs. Knowle-- MRS. KNOWLE (shaking a finger playfully at him). Not Mrs. Knowle, Bobby. BOBBY. But I say, you mustn't think--I mean Sandy and I--we aren't-- MRS. KNOWLE. You don't mean to tell me, Mr. Coote, that she has refused you again. BOBBY. Yes. I say, I'd much rather not talk about it. MRS. KNOWLE. Well, it just shows you that what I said the other day was true. Girls don't know their own minds. BOBBY (ruefully). I think Sandy knows hers--about me, anyhow. MRS. KNOWLE. Mr. Coote, you are forgetting what the poet said--Shakespeare, or was it the other man?--"Faint heart never won fair lady." If Mr. Knowle had had a faint heart, he would never have won me. Seven times I refused him, and seven times he came again--like Jacob. The eighth time he drew out a revolver, and threatened to shoot himself. I was shaking like an aspen leaf. Suddenly I realised that I loved him. "Henry," I said, "I am yours." He took me in his arms--putting down the revolver first, of course. I have never regretted my surrender, Mr. Coote. (With a sigh) Ah, me! We women are strange creatures. BOBBY. I don't believe Sandy would mind if I did shoot myself. MRS. KNOWLE. Oh, don't say that, Mr. Coote. She is very warm-hearted. I'm sure it would upset her a good deal. Oh no, you are taking too gloomy a view of the situation, I am sure of it. BOBBY. Well, I shan't shoot myself, but I shan't propose to her again. I know when I'm not wanted. MRS. KNOWLE. But we do want you, Mr. Coote. Both my husband and I-- BOBBY. I say, I'd much rather not talk about it, if you don't mind. I practically promised her that I wouldn't say anything to you this time.