Just fancy anyone being jealous of _you!_ [_Laughs loudly, then stops suddenly._] Hush! I forgot! We mustn't make so much noise. Clever people don't like noise.

SYLVESTER.

Music is noise to some people. I like it!

MARGERY.

Ah, but then you're not clever!

SYLVESTER [_laughing_].

I'm afraid not!

MARGERY.

There's a pair of us!

SYLVESTER.

And what a pleasure it is to meet somebody who's not clever. Mrs.

Cazenove, I think cleverness is the most boring thing in the world.

This planet would be quite a pleasant place but for the clever people.

MARGERY.

Do you mean my husband?

SYLVESTER.

I was thinking of my wife; she's one of them. I'm not. I'm only Mrs.

Sylvester's husband.

MARGERY.

Are you sure you're that?

SYLVESTER.

I have always been under that impression.

MARGERY.

A husband who isn't master of his wife isn't half a husband.

SYLVESTER.

I am content to be a fraction!

MARGERY.

But you're a cipher.

SYLVESTER.

You're frank, Mrs. Cazenove.

MARGERY.

I only say to your face what everybody says behind your back.

SYLVESTER.

What do they say?

MARGERY.

That Mrs. Sylvester's too much alone.

SYLVESTER.

Never. She's always with your husband!

MARGERY.

Well?

SYLVESTER.

As long as _you_ don't object----

MARGERY.

Object? Not I! But that's a very different thing!

SYLVESTER.

How so?

MARGERY.

I am my husband's wife, and I am not afraid of any woman in the world.

SYLVESTER.

You have no need to be. [_With admiration._] And in your pre-eminence resides my safety, Margery.

MARGERY.