MARGARET. And--I confess--it grieves me--to see him--so much taken up with--Lady Claude.
SIR J. (_eagerly_) Ah, you have noticed--
MARGARET. Day after day he is with her--with her all the time. She--ah, Joseph, you may not have observed it--but women have quick eyes! Lady Claude was a friend of yours once, I know--but she is a designing woman!
MARGARET. Oh, I mean nothing unkind. Women of that age--she is _at least_ thirty-five--naturally crave to be--admired. And it is perfectly plain to me that she--is drawing Everard on.
MARGARET. She flirts with him outrageously! She won't let him out of her sight! I've been looking forward to finding him a wife--you and I together--some girl who would make him happy.... But Lady Claude!
SIR J. (_cunningly_) Everard certainly seems to admire her--
MARGARET. Is it not incomprehensible! She's so old.
SIR J. H'm, if it's the disproportion of age that shocks you, think of us! I--fifty--and you nineteen!
MARGARET. (_rise, and up to him_) My love shall twine round you so softly that we shall divide my youth--shall share it. And, in the days to come, we shall ask--which one is old--Joseph--or Margaret?
SIR J. (_sulkily_) Conundrums of that kind will be useful, on winter evenings, with the wind howling down the chimney, and the rain coming through the roof--(_turn away_ L.)
MARGARET. (_getting on_ SIR J.'S L.) There can be no wind when you are near me, and no rain can come through the roof of our love!
SIR J. (_throwing up his hands in despair_) Oh, no more at present, please!
MARGARET. (_laying a hand on his arm_) You'll speak to Everard?
MARGARET. Joseph! Shall we let the poor boy throw himself away on--
SIR J. (R. C. _laughing hysterically_) Ha, ha! Oh, that's very good! Throw himself away on--Lady Claude!
MARGARET. (C.) (_offended_) You think it's impossible? But I tell you I've seen--
SIR J. My child, we've talked nonsense enough for one morning. Let's go. (_takes her hand and is about to lead her away_ R. MOLLENTRAVE _comes in breezily up_ L. C.) Ah, there's Mollentrave. I must have a word with him. Run on to the house--I'll follow. (_giving her the basket_)
MARGARET. (_fondly_ R.) Come soon, dear one--come soon. When my eyes do not rest on you they grow tired with waiting!