So you are going to run away to Europe like a coward?
Theodore, you are such an incorrigible idealist! I have nothing to be afraid of--I simply do not care to _marry_!
But I agree with you perfectly. [_She holds out her hand to him._] I was so afraid you believed in marriage.
Why--why--all this time, I thought _you_ had the usual attitude.
Why didn't you ever tell me you had such enlightened views?
Each understands the other now. Everything lovely!
Think of the discussions we might have had!
Not too late yet. Julia and I had discussions for a quarter of a century.
Don't think I had any hand in this. [_Laughs._] I was going to warn you, but now--it is unnecessary now.
Can't you see? It was all a plot! [_LUCY draws near noiselessly._] A plot to entrap you in marriage! They had about given me up as a bad job. _You_ were my last hope. They were going to throw me at your head. [_Louder but without turning._] Weren't you, Lucy dear?
[_caught listening, turns abruptly to the others_]
These old-fashioned women are utterly shameless. After a decent interval, they will all with one accord make excuses to leave us here alone, so that I can--[_she comes nearer_] ensnare you! [_ERNEST laughs nervously._] Lucy is going to say--[_imitates LUCY'S sweet tones_]: "If you'll excuse me, I always take forty winks before dressing." Dressing is the hardest work Lucy has to do. Cousin Theodore will find that he _must_ write to his wife, and Uncle Everett will feel a yearning for the billiard room. [_ERNEST is nodding and chuckling._] They're hanging on longer than usual to-day, and I simply must have a talk with you.
Stupid! Sit down. [_Indicates a chair close to hers. He takes it cautiously._] We'll have a little fun with them in a minute.
You may be right, Uncle Everett, but upon my word it is the strangest courtship I ever witnessed.
Don't worry, old Mother Nature will attend to that.
But this is merely a new fashion, my dear Lucy. Nature her ancient custom holds, let science say what it will.
[_handing cup to ERNEST with a glance at the others_]
Now, then, be attentive to me. [_He leans toward her rather shyly, abashed by her nearness. She makes eyes at him reproachfully._] Oh, can't you be more attentive than that? [_She acts like a coquette and he looks into her beautiful eyes and while he is doing so she says with a fascinating drawl_] Now tell me a-all about anterior poliomyelitis!