(_Smiling and kissing her._) Thank you, dear. THEODORE TRAVERS. Very interesting; quite worth the stairs. MRS. KEN DIXON. (_Aside to him._) I believe you'd make notes at your dearest friend's death-bed! THEODORE TRAVERS. Why not? It couldn't hurt him, and might amuse other people. Well, may all the joys of the world be yours, young people. Bless you both. (_He drinks_.) MRS. BEN DIXON. (_Rising_.) May the Lord help you both. Ben, if you're ready, we'll go. MR. BEN DIXON. Quite ready, my dear. MRS. BEN DIXON. (_To Nelly_.) Good-bye, my dear. (_Kisses her_.) You and I must have a long chat when you come down. Goodbye, Ted. This is what comes of your hiding yourself to starve away from your old aunt. Good-bye, Mr. Medbury. Good-bye, Cherry. Go on, Prim. (_Primrose goes out_) I want to get out of this and have a think. It's old fools and young fools all making fools of themselves together here. (_She goes out_.) MR. BEN DIXON. (_To Cherry_.) We are both charmed, my dear sir, charmed. I shall feel now that there is someone to look after them, and see that they never want for anything. I can't tell you what a relief it is to me. Good-bye, good-bye. (_He follows out._) THEODORE TRAVERS. Well, good-bye, good-bye all. I'll look you up again soon. Shall be interested to know how you all get on. (_He goes out_.) ADAM CHERRY. (_To Nelly._) You didn't mind my telling it, did you, dear? It had to come out sooner or later of course. You--you're not vexed? NELLY MORRIS. No, Mr. Ch--Adam. Of course not. ADAM CHERRY. I felt as if I could not believe it myself till everybody else knew it. (_To Jack._) Jack you haven't congratulated me. JACK MEDBURY. You have every reason to be congratulated, Mr. Cherry, I'm sure. (_Aside to Nelly._) I understand, Nell. Don't worry about me. It will make me paint all the better. (_Aside to Ted as he goes out._) Try and forget all that nonsense I talked to you, Ted. It's better as it is. Poor devils like you and I have no business to indulge in such luxuries as love, and I shall---- Goodbye, old fellow. (_Grips Ted's hand and goes out._) ADAM CHERRY. And now, my dear Ted, that we are alone---- TED MORRIS. I would rather be still more alone, Mr. Cherry, if you don't mind. Forgive me, but I want to talk to Nelly about this thing. It's rather taken me by surprise. ADAM CHERRY. Certainly, my dear boy. Certainly--very natural. I'll go. You and Nelly will come down and dine with me this evening, won't you, and we'll have a talk then. TED MORRIS. Thank you. I'll let you know. ADAM CHERRY. Ah yes. Do; do. (_To Nelly._) _Au revoir_, my dear. Good-bye, Ted. Good-bye. (_Goes out_.) TED MORRIS. (_He closes the door, and then returns. Nelly has gone to mantelpiece. He comes to her, and, putting his hands on her shoulders, speaks very gently_.) You've done this for me, little woman, but it must not be, dear. Do you think that if I wouldn't ask dear old Aunt Bella for help that I'd take it for this price?