IMOGEN.

Now! play! play marbles!

VALENTINE WHITE.

What!

IMOGEN.

Play marbles!

[They go down upon their knees, she deliberately arranges the marbles for the game, he staring at her blankly.]

IMOGEN.

My mark--play.

VALENTINE WHITE.

I beg your pardon, Jenny--I've been all wrong.

IMOGEN.

You have indeed, Val. Play. [He plays seriously.] Not within a mile of it.

VALENTINE WHITE.

My eye is quite out.

IMOGEN.

My turn.

VALENTINE WHITE.

By Jupiter, you're still a crack at it!

IMOGEN.

Am I? Then which of us has changed--you or I? [She lays her hand on his.] Val, don't go away and live in a rock.

VALENTINE WHITE.

What am I to do? I'm poor, Jenny, and I suppose I'm crazy.

IMOGEN.

Any sort of horrid life would suit you, wouldn't it?

VALENTINE WHITE.

I suppose it would.

IMOGEN.

Then ask Lord Drumdurris to make you a bailiff or a head gamekeeper at Drumdurris.

VALENTINE WHITE.

Not rough enough.

IMOGEN.

Why, you could get dreadfully dirty and wet through there every day.

VALENTINE WHITE.

That's true.

IMOGEN.

And, Val, we're all going up to Drumdurris next month.

VALENTINE WHITE.

Are you?

IMOGEN.

Yes, and if you like, I--I'll bring the marbles.

[BROOKE enters.]

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Imogen! Oh, I say! what?

VALENTINE WHITE.

Do you ever play marbles now, Brooke?

[DRUMDURRIS enters.]

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Marbles, no! Billiards.

[VALENTINE collects the marbles, and puts them into the box.]