Oh, you poor thing, can't you do without me for two minutes?
MABEL.
Now you're taking a mean advantage. It's only this particular two minutes that I want you. Come and sit by me like a nice, dear boy.
JOHN.
Now what have you been doing that you shouldn't?
MABEL.
[_Laughing._] Nothing. But I want you to do something for me.
JOHN.
Ha, ha! I thought so.
MABEL.
It's merely to tie up my shoe. [_She puts out her foot._]
JOHN.
Is that all--honour bright?
MABEL.
[_Laughing._] Yes. [JOHN _kneels down_.]
JOHN.
But, my good girl, it's not undone.
MABEL.
Then, my good boy, undo it and do it up again.
JOHN.
[_Starting up._] Mabel, are we playing gooseberry--at our time of life?
MABEL.
[_Ironically._] Oh, you are clever! Do you think Hilda would have climbed six flights of stairs unless Love had lent her wings?
JOHN.
I wish Love would provide wings for the chaperons as well.
MABEL.
Don't be flippant. It's a serious matter.
JOHN.
My dear girl, you really can't expect me to play the heavy father when we've only been married six months. It would be almost improper.
MABEL.
Don't be horrid, John.
JOHN.
It isn't horrid, it's natural history.
MABEL.
[_Primly._] I was never taught it. It's not thought nice for young girls to know.
JOHN.
Why didn't you tell me that Hilda was fond of Basil! Does he like her?
MABEL.
I don't know. I expect that's precisely what she's asking him.
JOHN.
Mabel, do you mean to say you brought me here, an inoffensive, harmless creature, for your sister to propose to a pal of mine? It's an outrage.
MABEL.
She's doing nothing of the sort.
JOHN.
You needn't look indignant. You can't deny that you proposed to me.
MABEL.
I can, indeed. If I had I should never have taken such an unconscionably long time about it.
JOHN.
I wonder why Hilda wants to marry poor Basil!
MABEL.