Clara. (_Who has just crossed over and joined the group l. to Mrs. R. who is just about quitting the room by door l. lower._) Do you allow your little boy to play billiards, Mrs. Rollitt? I don’t think I should if I had charge of him. (_Playfully._) Mrs. R. Oh, the more he’s up to every sort o’ game that’s played the better for him, to my thinking. (_Exit Mrs. R. l._) Allen. (_Laughing._) Oh, it keeps me at home out of mischief, like. (_Moves to upper door L._) Come and have a look at it. (_Goes up c._) Baron. (_As they go._) Ach, billiards iz a beaudiful game. (_Aside to Luke._) But you cannot vin much at id, id take so dam long. (_Exeunt all but Guss. and Deb. [l.]--all talking as they go. Guss. and Deb. near fireplace._) Deb. (_r._) Well, I’m afraid, Mr. Gussett, I must really go now. (_Goes down stage. Guss. goes l. c. and stops her._) Guss. (_Getting between her and the door l. to which she is backing._) Oh, no, don’t go. Do you know, I shall really think you are trying to avoid me. Deb. (_Retreating behind table--Guss. takes a step._) Oh, not at all. Guss. (_c. gets l. of r. c. table._) Ah, so pleasant to hear you say so. You know, Miss Deacon, I so want you to like me. Deb. Yes, well--I do very much, only I can’t stop to do it now, because you see aunt wants me. (_Moves c. up stage. Guss. stops her. Bus. of Deb. trying to get away and of Guss. cutting her off and trying to get near her; is kept up throughout the scene._) Guss. Ah, but your aunt sees so much of you and I can see so little. Deb. (_Laughing, walks l. c. up stage. Guss. at head of sofa._) I’m afraid there’s not very much more of me to see. I must go really, because we have got to do some shopping this morning. Guss. Ah, let me come with you? Deb. Oh, no, I won’t tax your kindness. I know you men hate shopping, and we are going into drapers’ and dressmakers’ and all sorts of dreadful places, (_c._) Guss. Ah, they will not be dreadful if you are there, Miss Deacon. Deb. And aunt always takes such a long time shopping. (_Goes up c._) Never can make up her mind, and I’m worse still, and--(_makes movement, Guss. moves behind settle and stops her down l._) Guss. Ah, the longer you take, the better I shall like it. I shall enjoy coming, I assure you. Deb. (_Getting more and more cross, comes r.c._) Well you know I really don’t think you will; and really, Mr. Gussett--(_turns r.a little._) Guss. (_Interrupting._) Ah, I know better. No, I quite insist upon coming. Deb. (_With calm, suppressed temper._) Ah, all right, Mr. Gussett, you shall. (_Crossing l. meets Mrs. R. just entering l._) Aunt, I want you. (_Turning her round again._) Mrs. R. (_l._) Why, whatever’s the-- Deb. I’ll tell you, come along. (_Exeunt Mrs. R. and Deb. l._) Guss. (_r. turns and arranges his moustache in glass over chimney_). Might do worse, Gussy, my boy. (_Turns round again._) She’s not a bad little thing, lick her into shape a bit. (_Enter Luke, upper l._)