MARGERY.

Excuse _me,_ uncle. Gerald doesn't know you're here!

[_Exit, R._

COLONEL.

Miss Vivash?

ENID.

Don't trouble, Colonel! She resents an escort. I have no patience with Victoria. Trying to be a man!

COLONEL.

And making only a _succes d'estime!_

ENID.

I like a woman to be womanly!

COLONEL [_aside_].

The best of 'em.

ENID.

I don't mean weak--like Agnes. She goes to the other extreme. Do you know, I'm getting very anxious about Agnes!

COLONEL.

Mrs. Sylvester?

ENID.

Haven't you noticed anything? Of course not! You men never do!

COLONEL.

I am afraid I must plead guilty!

ENID.

Haven't you observed how much she and your nephew are together?

COLONEL.

But they're collaborating.

ENID.

Ah, Colonel, when a man collaborates with a woman, a third person ought always to be present.

COLONEL.

To protect the man?

ENID [_tapping him, playfully_].

You are incorrigible!

COLONEL [_cheerfully_].

I always was, and at my age reformation is out of the question!

ENID.

Oh, you are not so old as all that!

COLONEL.

Guess.

ENID.

Fifty!

COLONEL [_pleased_].

Add six to it!

ENID.

Six!

COLONEL [_aside_].

She might add eight.

ENID.

I don't believe it, Colonel.

COLONEL [_aside_].

_Quite_ the best of 'em! [_Sits._] So you have appointed yourself the third person?

ENID.