Virginia. I knew you didn't know. Do you, Zack? Zack (_up to wall, consulting calendar_). Tuesday. Virginia. It's your birthday and I hope you'll have a very lucky day. Zack. My birthday! The twentieth of June. So it is. (_Paul returns to his correspondence at the table, half occupied, half listening._) Virginia. Yes. I was sure you didn't know. Zack. How did you know? Did mother tell you? Virginia. No. Zack. Who did? Virginia (_with mock impressiveness_). The family Bible, Zack! Your mother lent it me to look at something yesterday, and there I found it. Zachariah Manning, June 20th, 1886. Zack. Zack. Yes. Virginia. You knew? Zack. Yes. That's the year all right. Virginia. Then how dare you look forty when you're only twenty-nine? Zack. Do I? Virginia. You do, and I'm taking you in hand. Tell me, are your eyes so very bad? Zack. They're weak for reading with. Virginia. You're not always reading. Why do you wear your glasses when you're not? Zack. It's a trouble to be taking them off and putting them on. Virginia. So you keep them on all the time and damage your eyes. Come here, Zack. (_She takes them off and gives them him._) There! Don't put those on again until you want to read. You look at least five years younger than you did. Zack. Do I? Virginia. You do. And now about the rest? Zack. What rest? Virginia. The other six years that we've got to wipe away. I've got a present for you upstairs to do that. Zack. A present! Virginia. Yes. Don't you usually get presents on your birthday? Paul. What! Between grown-ups? Virginia. Why not? It's just those little pleasant things that keep life sweet. Zack. I used to get a bag of humbugs when I was a tiny lad. Virginia. Oh, we keep on doing it at home and I shall do it here. Only I want a ha'penny from you first. Zack. A ha'penny! Virginia. My present cuts, and so you'll have to pay me for it to keep bad luck away. Ha'penny, please, (_She holds hand out._) Zack (_rather hurt at having to confess_). I haven't got a ha'penny, Jenny. Virginia. What, have you spent last Saturday's wages already? It's only Tuesday. Zack. I don't get any wages. Paul. We've given up trusting Zack with money. He lost a shilling on the day you came. Virginia. Oh dear, then what's to be done? I know. You give Zack the ha'penny for a birthday present. Then he can give it me. Paul. What is your present, Jenny? Virginia. It's a shaving-set. Paul. Zack's no use for shaving. He's never shaved in his life. Virginia. His beard looks that kind of beard. That's why I want him to begin. Give him the ha'penny, Paul. Paul. Oh, it'll not matter. Zack isn't superstitious. Virginia. But I am. All decent-minded women are. And I won't cut my friendship for Zack. Paul. Well, if you insist. (_Taking coins from pocket._) Oh, no good. I've got no change.