MRS. KNOWLE (opening her eyes with a start). Coffee. Oh, yes, coffee. Jane, put the milk in for me. And no sugar. Dr. Anderson is very firm about that. "No sugar, Mrs. Knowle," he said. "Oh, Dr. Anderson!" I said.
(ALICE has taken the tray to JANE, who pours out her own and her aunt's coffee, and takes her cup off the tray.)
(ALICE goes over to MELISANDE, who says nothing, but waves her away.)
MRS. KNOWLE (as soon as ALICE is gone). Jane!
MRS. KNOWLE. Ah, I'm glad of that. It's so bad for the servants. (She finishes her coffee.)
JANE (getting up). Shall I put it down for you?
(JANE puts the two cups down and goes back to her book. MRS. KNOWLE fidgets a little on her sofa.)
MRS. KNOWLE. Sandy! (There is no answer) Sandy!
(MELISANDE turns round and comes slowly towards her mother.)
MRS. KNOWLE. Three times, darling. Didn't you hear me?
MELISANDE. I am sorry, Mother, I was thinking of other things.
MRS. KNOWLE. You think too much, dear. You remember what the great poet tells us. "Do noble things, not dream them all day long." Tennyson, wasn't it? I know I wrote it in your album for you when you were a little girl. It's so true.
MELISANDE. Kingsley, Mother, not Tennyson.
MRS. KNOWLE. Well, it's the same thing. I know when _my_ mother used to call me I used to come running up, saying, "What is it, Mummy, darling?" And even if it was anything upstairs, like a handkerchief or a pair of socks to be mended, I used to trot off happily, saying to myself, "Do noble things, not dream them all day long."
MELISANDE. I am sorry, Mother. What is the noble thing you want doing?
MRS. KNOWLE. Well now, you see, I've forgotten. If only you'd come at once, dear--
MELISANDE. I was looking out into the night. It's a wonderful night. Midsummer Night.
MRS. KNOWLE. Midsummer Night. And now I suppose the days will start drawing in, and we shall have winter upon us before we know where we are. All these changes of the seasons are very inconsiderate to an invalid. Ah, now I remember what I wanted, dear. Can you find me another cushion? Dr. Anderson considers it most important that the small of the back should be well supported after a meal. (Indicating the place) Just here, dear.
JANE (jumping up with the cushion from her chair). Let me, Aunt Mary.