Oh, that's just the common or garden South African medal.
MABEL.
And the other one?
BASIL.
That's the D.S.M.
MABEL.
Why didn't they give you the D.S.O.?
BASIL.
Oh, I was only a trooper, you know. They only give the D.S.O. to officers.
MABEL.
And what did you do to deserve it?
BASIL.
[_Smiling._] I really forget.
HILDA.
It's given for distinguished service in the field, Mabel.
MABEL.
I knew. Only I wanted to see if Mr. Kent was modest or vain.
BASIL.
[_With a smile, taking the medals from her and putting them away._] How spiteful of you!
MABEL.
John, why didn't you go to the Cape, and do heroic things?
JOHN.
I confined my heroism to the British Isles. I married you, my angel.
MABEL.
Is that funny or vulgar?
BASIL.
[_Laughing._] Are there no more questions you want to ask me, Mrs.
Halliwell?
MABEL.
Yes, I want to know why you live up six flights of stairs.
BASIL.
[_Amused._] For the view, simply and solely.
MABEL.
But, good heavens, there is no view. There are only chimney-pots.
BASIL.
But they're most aesthetic chimney-pots. Do come and look, Mrs. Murray.
[BASIL _and_ HILDA _approach one of the windows, and he opens it_.] And at night they're so mysterious. They look just like strange goblins playing on the house-tops. And you can't think how gorgeous the sunsets are: sometimes, after the rain, the slate roofs glitter like burnished gold. [_To_ HILDA.] Often I think I couldn't have lived without my view, it says such wonderful things to me. [_Turning to_ MABEL _gaily_.]
Scoff, Mrs. Halliwell, I'm on the verge of being sentimental.
MABEL.
I was wondering if you'd made that up on the spur of the moment, or if you'd fished it out of an old note-book.
HILDA.
[_With a look at_ BASIL.] May I go out?
BASIL.
Yes, do come.
[HILDA _and_ BASIL _step out on the balcony, whereupon_ JOHN _goes to_ MABEL _and tries to steal a kiss from her_.
MABEL.
[_Springing up._] Go away, you horror!
JOHN.
Don't be silly. I shall kiss you if I want to.
[_She laughing, walks round the sofa while he pursues her._
MABEL.
I wish you'd treat life more seriously.