CAPT. G. (_Aside._) It's safest to let 'em see everything as they come across it; but 'seems to me that there are exceptions to the rule. (_Aloud._) I told you that there was nothing to be gained from rearranging my table. MRS. G. (_Absently._) What _does_ the woman mean? She goes on talking about Consequences--'almost inevitable Consequences' with a capital C--for half a page. (_Flushing scarlet._) Oh, good gracious! How abominable! CAPT. G. (_Promptly._) Do you think so? Doesn't it show a sort of motherly interest in us? (_Aside._) Thank Heaven, Harry always wrapped her meaning up safely! (_Aloud._) Is it absolutely necessary to go on with the letter, darling? MRS. G. It's impertinent--it's simply horrid. What _right_ has this woman to write in this way to you? She oughtn't to. CAPT. G. When you write to the Deercourt girl, I notice that you generally fill three or four sheets. Can't you let an old woman babble on paper once in a way? She means well. MRS. G. I don't care. She shouldn't write, and if she did, you ought to have shown me her letter. CAPT. G. Can't you understand why I kept it to myself, or must I explain at length--as I explained the farcy-buds? MRS. G. (_Furiously._) Pip, I _hate_ you! This is as bad as those idiotic saddle-bags on the floor. Never mind whether it would please me or not, you ought to have given it to me to read. CAPT. G. It comes to the same thing. You took it yourself. MRS. G. Yes, but if I hadn't taken it, you wouldn't have said a word. I think this Harriet Herriott--it's like a name in a book--is an interfering old Thing. CAPT. G. (_Aside._) So long as you thoroughly understand that she _is_ old, I don't much care what you think. (_Aloud._) Very good, dear. Would you like to write and tell her so? She's seven thousand miles away. MRS. G. I don't want to have anything to do with her, but you ought to have told me. (_Turning to last page of letter._) And she patronises _me_, too. _I_'ve never seen her! (_Reads._) 'I do not know how the world stands with you; in all human probability I shall never know; but whatever I may have said before, I pray for _her_ sake more than for yours that all may be well. I have learnt what misery means, and I dare not wish that any one dear to you should share my knowledge.' CAPT. G. Good God! Can't you leave that letter alone, or, at least, can't you refrain from reading it aloud? I've been through it once. Put it back on the desk. Do you hear me? MRS. G. (_Irresolutely._) I sh--shan't! (_Looks at_ G'.s _eyes._) Oh, Pip, _please!_ I didn't mean to make you angry--'Deed, I didn't. Pip, I'm so sorry. I know I've wasted your time---- CAPT. G. (_Grimly._) You have. Now, will you be good enough to go--if there is nothing more in my room that you are anxious to pry into?