GEORGE (casually). Good-looking fellow, Strange.
OLIVIA (equally casually). Brian--yes, isn't he? And such a nice boy . . .
GEORGE. Got fifty pounds for a picture the other day, didn't he? Hey?
OLIVIA. Yes. Of course he has only just begun. . . .
OLIVIA. They all say he has genius. Oh, I don't think there's any doubt about it . . .
GEORGE. Of course, I don't profess to know anything about painting.
OLIVIA. You've never had time to take it up, dear.
GEORGE. I know what I like, of course. Can't say I see much in this new-fangled stuff. If a man can paint, why can't he paint like--like Rubens or--or Reynolds?
OLIVIA. I suppose we all have our own styles. Brian will find his directly. Of course, he's only just beginning. . . .
GEORGE. But they think a lot of him, what?
GEORGE. H'm! . . . Good-looking fellow. (There is rather a longer silence this time, GEORGE continues to hope that he is appearing casual and unconcerned. He stands looking at OLIVIA'S work for a moment.)
OLIVIA. Very nearly. Are my scissors there?
OLIVIA (as if really wondering). I don't quite know. . . . I _had_ thought of this room, but--I'm not quite sure.
GEORGE (walking over to the present curtains). H'm. They _are_ a bit faded.
OLIVIA (shaking out hers, and looking at them critically). Sometimes I think I love them, and sometimes I'm not quite sure.
GEORGE. Best way is to hang 'em up and see how you like 'em then. Always take 'em down again.
OLIVIA. That's rather a good idea, George!
OLIVIA. Yes. . . . I think we might do that. . . . The only thing is--(she hesitates).
OLIVIA. Well, the carpet and the chairs, and the cushions and things--
OLIVIA (doubtfully). Y--yes. Well, new chair-covers anyhow.
GEORGE (with an awkward laugh). We're not so hard up as all that, you know.
OLIVIA. No, I suppose not. (Thoughtfully) I suppose it would mean that I should have to go up to London for them. That's rather a nuisance.
GEORGE (extremely casual). Oh, I don't know. We might go up together one day.
OLIVIA. Well, of course if we _were_ up--for anything else--we could just look about us, and see if we could find what we want.
(There is another silence. GEORGE is wondering whether to come to closer quarters with the great question.)
OLIVIA (innocently). I told Brian, and I expect he'll tell Dinah, that Mr. Pim had made a mistake about the name.