THOR. I posted it in our usual letter box. (_going to tree_)
LUCY. All right, I'll get it directly. Does it give full directions?
THOR. Yes. (_makes to embrace her, she puts him off and points to windows_)
LUCY. And we bike over to Ingledene Church--what time? Early of course?
LUCY. Very well. (_rises_) Now you'd better go. (_he objects_) They'll be coming out to breakfast.
LUCY. (_motions him off again_) Back windows! (_crosses up_ C. _to house to see if they have been seen_)
THOR. (_turning towards her_) I was going to say that I can't help regretting the way we are treating Captain Dorvaston.
LUCY. You mind your own business. (_she crosses down_ R. _and leans on rustic table_) Captain Dorvaston is in my department.
THOR. I never fully understood how you came to be engaged. (_crosses to her_)
LUCY. Simple enough. My father was a colonel who did some rather big things on the Indian frontier, and in a dust up with one of the native Princes got himself into rather a tight corner. Jack Dorvaston--he was only a subaltern then--pulled him out of it, and in fact saved his life; so when the governor died a year or two later, he left a strong wish behind that the Captain should marry me.
LUCY. (_crosses round and sits on tree seat_ R.) It was a queer way of showing his gratitude, seeing that I was then a particularly unattractive child, all elbows and knees.
LUCY. It's all right, don't be nervous; time has softened them down. (_beckons him nearer_) I have a notion that Jack has always funked the thing, but his colonel had given his orders, (_he sits on table_) don't you see? And that was enough for _him_. I don't regard discipline--military or parental--with the same amount of respect. British freedom means the right to make a fool of one's self in one's own way. You're my way, and that's enough for _you_. (_he tries to take her hand, she draws it away_) Back windows!
THOR. I suppose no one guesses that we----?
LUCY. Mean business! No, with the exception possibly of Cook.
THOR. Cook! (_he looks at her in surprise_)
LUCY. Somehow I've a notion she's tumbled to it.
LUCY. Prattle about it? No, I think she rather likes me--tolerates would be a better word.
LUCY. Cook is a very great personage; she rules the vicarage. Auntie made a show of resistance at first, but Uncle and Jack have been abject slaves from the start.