ARNOLD. I didn't mean that. Of course you're going to stay for luncheon. I meant, how long are you going to stay down here? C.-C. A week. [_There is a moment's pause. Everyone but CHAMPION-CHENEY is slightly embarrassed._ TEDDIE. I think we'd better chuck our tennis. ELIZABETH. Yes. I want my father-in-law to tell me what they're wearing in Paris this week. TEDDIE. I'll go and put the rackets away. [_TEDDIE goes out._ ARNOLD. It's nearly one o'clock, Elizabeth. ELIZABETH. I didn't know it was so late. ANNA. [_To ARNOLD._] I wonder if I can persuade you to take a turn in the garden before luncheon. ARNOLD. [_Jumping at the idea._] I'd love it. [_ANNA goes out of the window, and as he follows her he stops irresolutely._ I want you to look at this chair I've just got. I think it's rather good. C.-C. Charming. ARNOLD. About 1750, I should say. Good design, isn't it? It hasn't been restored or anything. C.-C. Very pretty. ARNOLD. I think it was a good buy, don't you? C.-C. Oh, my dear boy! you know I'm entirely ignorant about these things. ARNOLD. It's exactly my period . . . I shall see you at luncheon, then. [_He follows ANNA through the window._ C.-C. Who is that young man? ELIZABETH. Mr. Luton. He's only just been demobilised. He's the manager of a rubber estate in the F.M.S. C.-C. And what are the F.M.S. when they're at home? ELIZABETH. The Federated Malay States. He joined up at the beginning of the war. He's just going back there. C.-C. And why have we been left alone in this very marked manner? ELIZABETH. Have we? I didn't notice it. C.-C. I suppose it's difficult for the young to realise that one may be old without being a fool. ELIZABETH. I never thought you that. Everyone knows you're very intelligent. C.-C. They certainly ought to by now. I've told them often enough. Are you a little nervous? ELIZABETH. Let me feel my pulse. [_She puts her finger on her wrist._] It's perfectly regular. C.-C. When I suggested staying to luncheon Arnold looked exactly like a dose of castor oil. ELIZABETH. I wish you'd sit down. C.-C. Will it make it easier for you? [_He takes a chair._] You have evidently something very disagreeable to say to me. ELIZABETH. You won't be cross with me? C.-C. How old are you? ELIZABETH. Twenty-five. C.-C. I'm never cross with a woman under thirty. ELIZABETH. Oh, then I've got ten years. C.-C. Mathematics? ELIZABETH. No. Paint. C.-C. Well? ELIZABETH. [_Reflectively._] I think it would be easier if I sat on your knees. C.-C. That is a pleasing taste of yours, but you must take care not to put on weight. [_She sits down on his knees._ ELIZABETH. Am I boney? C.-C. On the contrary. . . . I'm listening. ELIZABETH. Lady Catherine's coming here. C.-C. Who's Lady Catherine? ELIZABETH. Your--Arnold's mother. C.-C. Is she? [_He withdraws himself a little and ELIZABETH gets up._