GEORGE. [_Urbanely._] I say, I don't want to be an awful trouble to you. I think I'd better go back to my own place to-night.
DAISY. [_Looking at him._] Why should you do that?
DAISY. Do you think my reputation is such a sensitive flower?
GEORGE. [_Lightly._] Of course not. But people aren't very charitable. It seems rather funny I should stay here when Harry's away.
DAISY. What do you suppose I care if people gossip?
DAISY. [_With a smile, almost archly._] It's not very flattering to me that you should insist on going the moment Harry does. Do I bore you so much as all that?
GEORGE. [_With a chuckle._] How can you talk such nonsense? I haven't wanted to get well too quickly. I've so enjoyed sitting quietly here while you read or sewed. I've got so much in the habit of seeing you about me that if I don't go at once I shall never be able to bring myself to go at all.
DAISY. Since that horrible accident I've been rather nervous at the thought of sleeping here by myself. I'm terrified at the thought of being left alone to-night.
GEORGE. Come in with me, then. The Knoxes will be delighted to put you up for the night.
DAISY. [_With a sudden change of manner._] I don't want you to go, George. I want you to stay.
GEORGE. [_As serious as she is._] Daisy, don't be too hard on me. You don't know. You don't know. [_With an effort he regains his self-control and returns to his easy, chaffing tone._] Don't forget it's not only a wound in the lung that I've been suffering from. While you and the doctor between you have been patching that up, I've been busy sticking together the pieces of a broken heart. It's nicely set now, no one could tell that there'd ever been anything wrong with it, but I don't think it would be very wise to give it a sudden jolt or jerk.
DAISY. [_In a low quivering voice._] Why do you say things like that? What is the good of making pretences?
GEORGE. [_Determined to keep the note of lightness._] It was very silly of me to bother you with my little troubles. It was very hot. I was overworked and nervous at the time or I shouldn't have made so much of it. I'm sure that you'll be as pleased as I am to know that I'm making a very good recovery, thank you.
DAISY. [_As though asking a casual question._] You don't care for me any more?