FAITH. You were going to tell me something.

BOBBIE. Yes, I know something that will banish your mother's disapproval altogether....

FAITH. She hasn't disapproved yet. I only said she might.

BOBBIE. Well, she's pretty certain to want you to make a good match. I know what mothers are, they all do. I'm not a good match I know, but what she doesn't know is that I have wonderful prospects.

FAITH (_with interest_). Have you?

BOBBIE. I should never have proposed to you, otherwise.

FAITH. Well, you haven't proposed properly.

BOBBIE. I mean to when I've told you everything. Will you listen?

(_Moves to_ R. _of Chesterfield._)

FAITH. Of course.

BOBBIE. Well, have you ever met my Uncle Daniel? (_Sits by her on Chesterfield._)

FAITH. No.

BOBBIE. You will to-day, he's a wonderful chap. Eighteen months ago his doctor told him that he only had three years to live. (FAITH _giggles._) And the day he came over from South America he gave us all a jolly good talking to--quite right too.

FAITH. Why?

BOBBIE. You see father had left mother badly off, and we were all drooping round doing nothing.

FAITH. Of course!

BOBBIE. Then Uncle Dan turned up and said he'd leave his whole fortune to the one of us who made good in some way or other. Of course that bucked us up no end, and look at us now--Vangy's raking in the dibs with her novel, Sylvia's on a fair way to be a big film star, Oliver has just been made a.s.sistant manager at the motor works, which is a good leg-up considering that he started as an ordinary mechanic. I'm doing jolly well out of my songs--specially "The Rose of Pa.s.sion Sweet." Why they buy the beastly thing I don't know. It's the worst of the lot.

FAITH. Oh! Bobbie!

BOBBIE. Even Joyce has walked off with all the prizes at school and intends to be a great artist. You see we've all risen to the bait.

Eighteen months ago it seemed providential that Uncle should only have such a short time to live, now I rather hate it, in spite of the money.

He's a dear, though of course we didn't see much of him. He went back to South America soon after he'd seen us, but still he left an impression.

Here we are, all working like slaves, and helping mother to keep on the house. It would have broken her heart to have given it up. There are my prospects--a huge fortune, quite soon.

FAITH. Yes, but, Bobbie, one of the others might get it.

BOBBIE (_after looking round_). Ah, but there is just one more thing to tell you. Two days before he sailed Uncle Dan took me aside and told me--in the very strictest confidence of course--that I was the one out of us all that he had his eye on; he said he'd practically made out his will in my favour already....

FAITH (_ecstatically_). Bobbie!

BOBBIE. Yes, but promise you won't breathe a word to the others; of course you understand he couldn't show favouritism openly.

FAITH. No--I see.

BOBBIE. Now that I have told you everything, Faith darling, will you--will you marry me?

FAITH. Yes, Bobbie--

BOBBIE. Oh! (_He kisses her._)

FAITH.s.p.a.cELEFT--if mother says I may.

BOBBIE. Oh! (_mastering slight irritation_). But don't you think she will, now?

FAITH. Yes, I think so.

BOBBIE (_sadly_). I don't believe you love me a bit.

FAITH (_filled with reproach_). Oh, Bobbie, how _can_ you.

BOBBIE. Well, do you?

(MRS. CROMBIE _sees them through window_ L.C.)

FAITH. Of course, silly! (_She kisses him._)

BOBBIE (_joyfully--taking her hands_). Oh, Faith we'll have the most wonderful times in the world--just you and me together; say you're happy, say you're excited about it.

FAITH. I'm absolutely thrilled--I'm----s.p.a.cELEFT(BOBBIE _sees_ MRS.

CROMBIE. _Picks up papers on floor to hide his confusion._)

(_Enter_ MRS. CROMBIE. _They get up._)

MRS. CROMBIE (_going_ L.C.). You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, sitting indoors on a lovely day like this. (FAITH _giggles._) Heaven knows we get little enough good air in town, without wasting it when we get into the country.

FAITH. Mother, something important has happened. (_By front of couch._)

BOBBIE (_sincere_). Look here, Faith, you must let me tell her--it's my job, I won't shirk it.

FAITH. Don't be silly, Bobbie, go into the garden, there's a darling--I'll come out in a minute or two.

BOBBIE. But--but----

FAITH. Do be sensible.

BOBBIE. Oh, all right.... (_Goes up between Chesterfield and fireplace, and exits into garden._)

MRS. CROMBIE. You are a little fool, Faith. Fancy flirting with that--the elder one has much more in him.

FAITH. But I don't like Oliver so much, his chin's so scrubby.

MRS. CROMBIE. Oliver is a steady man with an a.s.sured career in front of him--this one----