FRANKIE: Yes. Listen!... If we don’t furnish those two top rooms at once, I think we’ll be able to have two servants; I’ve been going all through it with mother to-day--my dear, the prices of things are awful--but that’ll mean one to wait at dinner, and that’s ever so much nicer--and I’m going to give you such lovely little dinners--when you bring your friends home--and p’r’aps when you don’t sometimes!... Oh, and I’ve furnished your study to-day in my head--it’s going to be ever so comfy ... and you can write your book there in the evenings ... I won’t come near you if you don’t want me to ... you know, dear, we couldn’t have a smaller house than the little one at the corner, could we? ... and it’s really ever so cheap. JOHN: It’s a queer business, marriage, isn’t it? FRANKIE: Yes. JOHN: We’ve got to be everything to each other for the rest of our lives. FRANKIE: Dear!... I’m going to try to be---- JOHN: ... Frankie! FRANKIE: Yes, dear. JOHN: Do you remember once when I took you in my arms and kissed you? FRANKIE: Yes. JOHN: You _do_ remember that time? FRANKIE (_low_): Yes. Very well. JOHN: If I did it now--would you tell me not to? FRANKIE: ... I don’t know. JOHN: May I? FRANKIE: I’d rather you didn’t. JOHN: Why? FRANKIE: Kiss me, John, if you want to, but not like that. JOHN: Why? FRANKIE: I’d rather you didn’t. [_They stand close, untouching and silent ... MR. FREEMAN comes in._ MR. FREEMAN: Hullo! Sorry! Thought you were upstairs. Your father’s back; the car’s out there. But, look here, you stay for a bit if you like. John can walk home with you. FRANKIE: I think I’d better go with Dad. [_The gate wails and screeches--JOHN hurries to the window._ MR. FREEMAN: Who’s that? JOHN: Colin came back. MR. FREEMAN: Who’s Colin? JOHN: The man who was here just now. MR. FREEMAN: What’s he come back for? JOHN: I don’t know. [_MRS. FREEMAN comes in._ MR. FREEMAN (_family curiosity_): Where’s Gwen? MRS. FREEMAN: Gone out to the car with Mr. Sewell. Are you going to stay, Frankie? FRANKIE: I think I’d better go back with Dad.... Good night, Mrs. Freeman. MRS. FREEMAN: Good night, dear. (_A kiss._) FRANKIE: Good night, Mr. Freeman--good night, John. JOHN: Good night, Frankie. [_GWEN enters._ GWEN: What a topping car. FRANKIE: We’ve only had it a week. GWEN: Can you drive it? FRANKIE: Rather. [_JOHN makes his escape._ GWEN: I like it heaps better than the old one. FRANKIE: I should think so. Is Dad waiting? GWEN: He’s gone. FRANKIE: Gone? GWEN: I thought you were going to stop. MR. FREEMAN: You’ll have to now. GWEN: Who was that on the doorstep? MR. FREEMAN: That feller’s come back. GWEN: It’s dark out there; I began talking; I thought it was you at first, Frankie. MR. FREEMAN: It was that feller. GWEN: Oh no, it wasn’t. MR. FREEMAN: Eh? Then who was it? [_GWEN scents danger._ GWEN: Oh, nobody. MR. FREEMAN: What d’you mean--nobody? GWEN: Nobody we know.