CAPT. G. Don't you? I don't think the man had much doubt about it. Jack cut his head off. MRS. G. Cut--his--head--off! 'With one blow,' as they say in the books? CAPT. G. I'm not sure. I was too interested in myself to know much about it. Anyhow, the head was off, and Jack was punching old Van Loo in the ribs to make him get up. Now you know all about it, dear, and now-- MRS. G. You want me to go, of course. You never told me about this, though I've been married to you for _ever_ so long; and you never _would_ have told me if I hadn't found out; and you never _do_ tell me anything about yourself, or what you do, or what you take an interest in. CAPT. G. Darling, I'm always with you, aren't I? MRS. G. Always in my pocket, you were going to say. I know you are; but you are always _thinking_ away from me. CAPT. G. (_Trying to hide a smile._) Am I? I wasn't aware of it. I'm awf'ly sorry. MRS. G. (_Piteously._) Oh, don't make fun of me! Pip, you know what I mean. When you are reading one of those things about Cavalry, by that idiotic Prince--why doesn't he _be_ a Prince instead of a stable-boy? CAPT. G. Prince Kraft a stable-boy--Oh, my Aunt! Never mind, dear. You were going to say? MRS. G. It doesn't matter; you don't care for what I say. Only--only you get up and walk about the room, staring in front of you, and then Mafflin comes in to dinner, and after I'm in the drawing-room I can hear you and him talking, and talking, and talking, about things I can't understand, and--oh, I get _so_ tired and feel _so_ lonely!--I don't want to complain and be a trouble, Pip; but I do--indeed I do! CAPT. G. My poor darling! I never thought of that. Why don't you ask some nice people in to dinner? MRS. G. Nice people! Where am I to find them? Horrid frumps! And if I _did_, I shouldn't be amused. You know I only want _you._ CAPT. G. And you have me surely, Sweetheart? MRS. G. I have not! Pip, why don't you take me into your life? CAPT. G. More than I do? That would be difficult, dear. MRS. G. Yes, I suppose it would--to you. I'm no help to you--no companion to you; and you like to have it so. CAPT. G. Aren't you a little unreasonable, Pussy? MRS. G. (_Stamping her foot._) I'm the most reasonable woman in the world--when I'm treated properly. CAPT. G. And since when have I been treating you improperly? MRS. G. Always--and since the beginning. You _know_ you have. CAPT. G. I don't; but I'm willing to be convinced. MRS. G. (_Pointing to saddlery._) There! CAPT. G. How do you mean? MRS. G. What does all _that_ mean? Why am I not to be told? Is it so precious? CAPT. G. I forget its exact Government value just at present. It means that it is a great deal too heavy. MRS. G. Then why do you touch it?