Kiss me, then! GERALD. My dear---- MARGERY. Gerald! will you kiss me? GERALD [_kisses her_]. How many times does that make? MARGERY. Only three this morning. You used to like kissing me. GERALD. Yes, dear, but---- MARGERY. What? GERALD. This isn't writing my book. MARGERY. No, but it's being happy, and that's worth all the books that ever were written. GERALD. Yes--being happy--that's the great thing. [_Sighs._ MARGERY. Why do you sigh? GERALD. Did I sigh? [_Smiling._ MARGERY. Yes. GERALD. I didn't know I sighed. Writing's hard work. MARGERY. Then put the book away! [_Thrusts the MS. aside._] I've such news for you! GERALD. News? MARGERY. Such good news. Guess what it is. I'll give you three tries. GERALD [_deprecatingly_]. Margery! MARGERY. You'll never guess! GERALD. Then what's the use of trying? MARGERY. Because I want you to guess wrong. GERALD. I shan't do that! MARGERY. You will! I'm sure you will! GERALD. I'm sure I shan't, because I am not going to guess at all. MARGERY [_grimaces_]. Cross again! You'd better not be, or you know the penalty! GERALD. Come! what is the good news? MARGERY. That's the good news. [_Gives him a card._ GERALD [_with real pleasure_]. Margery! MARGERY [_pouting_]. You might have guessed! GERALD. A card from Lady Wargrave! And addressed to you! MARGERY. Asking us to a party at her house. GERALD. Don't say a party, Margery! MARGERY. Well, isn't it a party? GERALD. Call it an At Home. MARGERY. Oh, that's another lesson! Never call things by their right names, it's vulgar! GERALD. This is an olive-branch, and no mistake! So aunt is thawing at last. MARGERY. Stop a bit, Gerald! GERALD. Wait a moment, Margery! MARGERY. Is that another lesson? Never use one syllable when two will do? Very well, Gerald, I'll remember that. But what do you mean by olive-branch? GERALD [_looks at her, and sighs again_]. Oh, never mind! MARGERY. Yes, tell me. I want to make sure as I go along. GERALD. An overture--a sign of reconciliation--like holding out your hand. MARGERY. Ah, now I understand! But what a funny thing to call it--olive-branch! [_Bursts into a peal of laughter._ GERALD [_shivers slightly and goes over to the mantelpiece. Aside_]. It didn't sound like that in Mapledurham! [_Conquering himself, returns to her._] I'm so glad aunt's come round. You don't know how it's worried me--her estrangement. MARGERY. They've all come round now. They've all recognized me. Oh, I'm so happy, Gerald! It isn't half as hard to be a lady as I thought! GERALD [_thoughtfully_]. Of course you'll have to answer this! MARGERY. Of course! GERALD. Show me the answer when you've written it! MARGERY. Oh, I shan't spell it wrong! GERALD. No, dear, but---- MARGERY.