Mrs. Munning. What are you frightened of? Paul. I wouldn't like to get refused. I don't so much as know she thinks of me at all. Mrs. Munning. And what do you think I'm doing all these days? I've done nothing else but keep you in her mind. She knows it all from A to Z. Why, only yesterday I gave her the Bible to look at, and you know what's written in the front of it. There's every prize you ever won at school on record with the date and---- Paul. And what she found in the Bible was that it's Zack's birthday to-day and she's giving him a present. Mrs. Munning. Well, she's got a kind heart. I saw her give a beggar sixpence yesterday. Paul. That isn't kindness. It's extravagance, and I've no taste for a wife who throws her money away. Mrs. Munning. She couldn't throw it if she hadn't got it first. And I'd trust you to let her know that charity begins at home when she's your wife. Paul. There's something in that. Mrs. Munning. There's all in it. I say we've got a golden chance, and I don't know what you're shirking for. Our luck's well in all round with people talking sensibly about us and the orders coming in. Paul. That's not to say Virginia _'_ull have me. Mrs. Munning. You'll get to know by asking, Paul. And I tell you she's ripe for it. Paul. Ripe? Mrs. Munning. The girl's in love. She's got the signs of it all over her. It only needs a bit of enterprise from you, and all's as good as done. Paul. I've seen no signs of love. She's got a thumping appetite, if that's your meaning. Mrs. Munning. Where's your eyes? The girl's another creature since she's been with us. Paul. The country air did that. I thought love made them pale. Mrs. Munning. Quit talking, Paul. Are you in love with any other girl? Paul. What, me in love? I've got more sense. Mrs. Munning. Then marry Virginia. Paul. All right. I'll try. (_Enter Virginia. She has a small brown-papered parcel._) Virginia. Oh! is Zack not here? Mrs. Munning. He's gone out on an errand. Did you want him? Virginia. Yes. To give him this. But it will do later. (_She turns away._) Mrs. Munning. Oh, don't go, Jenny. Virginia. But Paul's busy here. Mrs. Munning. Paul's never too busy to have some time for you. But I've got to see Sally myself, so I'll leave you two together. (_Exit Mrs. Munning._) Paul. I'll make you comfortable here. (_He fusses at the chairs and places one for her._) Virginia. Oh, please don't trouble, Paul. Paul. There's no trouble about it, Jenny. It's always a pleasure to do things for you. Virginia. Why, Paul, I didn't know. Paul. Know what? Virginia. That you did things for me. Paul. You didn't? Well, I haven't boasted up to now. Virginia. No. Then it's you, and I've been thinking it was Zack. Paul. Thought what was Zack? Virginia. I thought Zack brought the roses that I'm always finding in my room and---- Paul (_uneasy, but bluffing_). Zack? Did you ever see him doing it? Virginia. No. And it was you. (_Hand out._) Paul, I apologize.