trembling voice._) "Chuckle-headed old man--Young artist." (_Thinks_). Jack Medbury. "Girl loves artist--artist loves girl--old chap well off--proposes to girl. She, tired of poverty, throws love to the dogs and accepts. Old fellow suspects nothing--tells himself he will soon win her love by his devotion, and--and all that sort of thing." (_Lets his hand with book fall on table._) That's the true story. It's _I_ who have been building up the romance. Jack used to be here every day. He's never been near the place since. Nelly never smiles even now. I've fancied it was because she was ill and worried, and that I should be able to make her happy as soon as I had her all to myself and could take care of her. (_Irritably pushing the book away from him._) I wish people wouldn't leave their things about. (_Bows his head between his hands._) (_Primrose pushes open the door gently and enters. Seeing Cherry in this attitude, she comes softly over and lays her hand on his shoulder._) PRIMROSE DEANE. Are you ill, Mr. Cherry? ADAM CHERRY. (_Starting._) No, my dear; no. I was only thinking. How--how do you think Nelly's looking? PRIMROSE DEANE. (_She has brought in some flowers and is arranging them in vase._) Oh, pretty well. ADAM CHERRY. It--it doesn't seem to you, my dear, does it, that she's fretting herself about anything? PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Puzzled how to answer._) Oh no; I expect she's worried about her brother, you know, Mr. Cherry, and poor Mrs. Ben Dixon. ADAM CHERRY. Ah, yes, yes; but don't you think there may be something else besides--something more nearly concerning herself? PRIMROSE DEANE. Why do you ask, Mr. Cherry? (_She comes to him_.) ADAM CHERRY. (_Rising and taking both her hands._) Because, my dear, I'm a very inexperienced old man, and I want some shrewd little person who understands these matters better than I do to advise me. (_Very earnestly_.) Do you think, my dear, I shall be making Nelly happy by marrying her? PRIMROSE DEANE. Truthfully, Mr. Cherry? ADAM CHERRY. Truthfully, my dear, for both our sakes. PRIMROSE DEANE. Then I don't, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. You--you think there's somebody else who could do it better? (_Primrose nods her head._) Thank you, my dear (_releases her hands_). PRIMROSE DEANE. I'm so sorry, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. There'd be more to be sorry for still, my dear, if we're too late to mend matters (_turning away_). We won't talk about it any more. Have you seen Ted? PRIMROSE DEANE. N-no. ADAM CHERRY. Not! Why he's just gone upstairs. PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Awkwardly._) Y-yes--I--I heard him come in. I was in Nelly's room. I came out by the other door. ADAM CHERRY. (_Looking at her with surprise._) I thought you and he were such good friends? PRIMROSE DEANE. This world's friendships are very fleeting. ADAM CHERRY.