MISS DEANES Yes. But I forgot. _You_ wouldn’t know _them_. They didn’t come here till long after you went away. They bought Brendon Park from the Malcolms three years ago. You remember the Malcolms, Janet? Janet _(whose attention has wandered)_ Eh? Oh yes, of course. MRS. CLOUSTON Which Mr. Bulstead is it? The eldest? MISS DEANES Yes. Montague. JANET _(under her breath)_ Monty Bulstead! Engaged! MRS. CLOUSTON Are the Aldenhams pleased? MISS DEANES Very, I expect. The Bulsteads are so rich, you see. JANET Does he live down here; this Mr. Montagu Bulstead, I mean? MISS DEANES Oh no. He’s here on leave. He’s in the army. He only got back three months ago _(with a little giggle)_. He and Bertha haven’t taken long to settle things, have they? JANET No, they haven’t taken long. MISS DEANES But I dare say he _will_ live here when he’s married. As the Bulsteads are so rich.- The father makes frilling and lace and so on. All those things people used to make so much better by hand. And Bertha may not care about army life. I know I shouldn’t. _(Janet smiles discreetly.)_ It’s not always very _nice_, is it? BROWN _(to Johnny who has been staring at him roundeyed across the room, with heavy geniality)_. Well, young man. Who are you staring at, eh? Do _you_ want to talk to me? JOHNNY _(quite simply, in his high piping treble)_ No, thank you. JANET Sh! Johnny! You don’t mean that. Go to Mr. Brown when he speaks to you. JOHNNY Very well, Mummie. _[Does so slowly_. BROWN _(taking his hands)_ Now then what shall we talk about, you and I? JOHNNY I don’t know. BROWN Don’t you? Suppose we see if you can say your catechism then? Would you like _that_? JOHNNY What’s catechism? BROWN Come, Johnny, I’m sure your mother has taught you your catechism.. Can you repeat your “Duty towards your Neighbour”? _(Johnny shakes his head emphatically)_. Try “My duty towards my neighbour.... JOHNNY Mother says it’s every one’s duty to be healthy and to be happy! Is that what you mean? BROWN _(scandalized)_ No! No! JOHNNY Well, that’s what mother taught me. JANET _(coming to the rescue)_ I’m afraid he doesn’t know his catechism yet, Mr. Brown. You see he’s only eight. _(Brown bows stiffly.)_ Run away, Johnny, and play in the garden for a little. _[Leads him to the door in the bay._ JOHNNY All right, Mummie. _[Johnny runs out into the garden. A certain relief is perceptible on his departure. It is felt that his interview with Mr. Brown has not been a success._... MISS DEANES _(who feels that a change of subject will be only tactful)_ There now, Hester! I do believe you’ve never asked after Dicky! He’ll be so offended! HESTER _(smiling)_ Has Dicky been ill again? I thought you said he was better yesterday. MISS DEANES He was. But he had a relapse, poor _darling_. I had to sit up all last night with him! JANET What has been the matter with him? MISS DEANES