ROSAMUND [_quietly submissive_]. I'm awfully busy, you know, Jim.
JAMES. I will assist you in your little duties, dearest, and then I will accompany you to the sacred ed--to the registry office. Now, what were you doing? [_She sits down, and he puts a chair for himself close beside her._]
ROSAMUND. You are singularly unlike yourself this morning, dearest.
JAMES. Nervous tension, my angel. I should have deemed it impossible that an _employé_ of the War Office could experience the marvelous and exquisite sensations now agitating my heart. But tell me, what are you doing with these papers?
ROSAMUND. Well, I was just going to look through them and see if they contained anything of a remarkable or valuable nature. You see, I hadn't anything to occupy myself with.
JAMES. Was 'oo bored, waiting for the timey-pimey to come?
ROSAMUND [_hands caressing_]. 'Iss, little pet was bored, she was. Was Mr. Pet lonely this morning? Couldn't he keep away from his little cooky-lecturer? He should see his little cooky-lecturer.
JAMES. And that reminds me, hadn't we better lunch in the train instead of at Willis's? That will give us more time?
ROSAMUND. Horrid greedy piggywiggy! Perhaps he will be satisfied if Mrs. Pet agrees to lunch both at Willis's and in the train?
JAMES. Yes. Only piggywiggy doesn't want to trespass on Mrs. Pet's good nature. Let piggywiggy look at the papers. [_He takes up a paper from the desk._]
ROSAMUND [_a little seriously_]. No, Jimmy. I don't think we'll go through them. Perhaps it wouldn't be wise. Just let's destroy them. [_Takes papers from his hand and drops them in desk._]
JAMES [_sternly_]. When you have been the wife of a War Office clerk for a week you will know that papers ought never to be destroyed. Now I come to think, it is not only my right but my duty to examine this secret _dossier_. Who knows--[_Takes up at random another document, which proves to be a postcard. Reads._] "Shall come to-morrow night. Thine, Gerald."
ROSAMUND [_after a startled shriek of consternation_]. There! There! You've done it, first time! [_She begins to think, with knitted brows._]
JAMES. Does this highly suspicious postcard point to some--some episode in your past of which you have deemed it advisable to keep me in ignorance? If so, I seek not to inquire. I forgive you--I take you, Rosamund, as you are!