Paul. As if I'd mean a thing like that to you, Virginia.
Virginia. But I was just going, aunt. I've something upstairs that I want to bring for Zack.
Virginia. You'd forgotten it's his birthday.
Mrs. Munning. No, I hadn't, Jenny. Mothers don't forget a thing like that. But I'd not seen cause to mention it.
Virginia. I'll get Zack's present. (_She opens door._) By the way, wasn't it at Mr. Abbott's wedding that Zack began to go again?
Virginia. And he's been going to the others since?
Mrs. Munning. Yes. But he's still on trial. Why, Jenny?
Zack. Yes, Paul. (_He turns the handle once or twice, and is then occupied testing the result._)
Mrs. Munning. Come here a minute, Paul. You're not that busy.
Paul. I'm not busy at all. I just made a show of it before Virginia. A good thing she heard him talk like that.
Mrs. Munning. I'll tell you something better for the business than Mr. Abbott's talk.
Paul. If you'll tell me what it is that makes people say one thing of us one week and change their minds the next, you'll be doing me a good turn.
Mrs. Munning. I'll do you a better turn. I'd a chat with Virginia in her room last night.
Paul. I heard your voices going late. You kept me awake.
Mrs. Munning. Well, it was worth it, Paul. I knew they were well off, but there's more than I thought. The girl's got money of her own besides her mother's.
(_Zack works the machine. Mrs. Munning turns on him._)
Oh, will you hush your noise, Zack? Get away out of this while I talk to Paul.
Paul. Go round to Bealey's and ask him if those nails have come. Don't be all day.
Zack. No, Paul. (_He turns to door and goes out._)
Mrs. Munning. Look here, Paul, you could do a lot to this business if you had the capital. We could start a temperance hotel and give up the joinery altogether. Zack could clean boots.
Mrs. Munning. You're not slow to see your interests as a rule.
Paul. Slow? I'd call it quick myself and very quick. I've known the girl a fortnight.
Mrs. Munning. Oh, you do see what I'm driving at.
Mrs. Munning. And anything the matter with it?
Paul. Asked? I haven't. It's not a thing to rush at, mother. I've to look at every side before I take a leap like that.
Mrs. Munning. What are you frightened of?
Paul. I wouldn't like to get refused. I don't so much as know she thinks of me at all.