Aunt--dear Aunt Georgiana--we heard you say something about a thousand pounds.
No--we only merely heard. And, oh, Aunt, a thousand pounds is such a lot, and we poor girls want such a little.
I haven't, any more than you have, Sheba.
Well, I'm in debt too, but I only meant to beg for Salome; but now I ask for both of us. Oh, Aunt Tidman, papa has told us that you have known troubles.
Oh, I'm so glad. Because Salome and I are weary fragments too--we're everything awful but chastened widows. We owe forty pounds unknown to Pa!
Why, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves, you girls!
To cry and go on like this about forty pounds!
But we've only got fifteen and threepence of our own in the world! And, oh, Aunt, you know something about the Races, don't you?
If you do, help two poor creatures to win forty pounds, nineteen. Aunt Georgiana, what's "Dandy Dick" you were talking to that gentleman about?
We thought so. Then let Dandy Dick win _us_ some money.
Go away--I won't. I say decidedly, I will not!
Do! Do, and we'll love you for ever and ever, Aunt Georgiana.
You will! [_She embraces them heartily._] Bless your little innocent faces! Do you want to win forty pounds?
[_Taking her betting book from her pocket._] Very well, then, put your very petticoats on Dandy Dick!
[_The girls stand clutching their skirts, frightened._
The morning-room at the Deanery, with the fire and the lamps lighted. It is after dinner.
SHEBA is playing the piano, SALOME lolling upon the settee, and GEORGIANA pouring out tea. They are in evening dress.
Sugar, Sally? I call you Sally, Salome--the evening's too short for your name.
All right, Aunt George--two lumps, please.
Quite a relief to shake off the gentlemen, isn't it?
H'm! Now I understand why my foot was always in the way under the dinner-table.
[_She holds out two cups, which the girls take from her._
I thought the dinner was an overwhelming success.
Well, it was Cook's first attempt at custards.
However, they served one useful end. Now we _know_ the chimney wants sweeping.
But it was a frightfully jolly dinner--take it all round.
Yes, take it all round. One has to take things all round.
What made us all so sad and silent--taking us all round?
Dear Papa was as lively as an owl with neuralgia.