LADY FREDERICK.
I do indeed.
ADMIRAL.
I rather wish that proposal of marriage had been on your own behalf.
LADY FREDERICK.
Ah, with me, dear Admiral, experience triumphs over hope. I must tell the children. [_Calling._] Gerald, come here. Rose.
[GERALD _and_ ROSE _come in_.
LADY FREDERICK.
I always knew your father was a perfect darling, Rose.
ROSE.
Oh, papa, you are a brick.
ADMIRAL.
I thoroughly disapprove of the marriage, my dear, but--it's not easy to say no to Lady Frederick.
GERALD.
It's awfully good of you, Admiral, and I'll do my best to make Rose a ripping husband.
ADMIRAL.
Not so fast, young man, not so fast. There's a condition.
ROSE.
Oh, father!
LADY FREDERICK.
Gerald is to behave himself for a year, and then you may marry.
ROSE.
But won't Gerald grow very dull if he behaves himself?
LADY FREDERICK.
I have no doubt of it. But dullness is the first requisite of a good husband.
ADMIRAL.
Now you must pack off to bed, my dear. I'm going to smoke my pipe before turning in.
ROSE.
[_Kissing_ LADY FREDERICK.] Good-night, dearest. I'll never forget your kindness.
LADY FREDERICK.
You'd better not thank me till you've been married a few years.
ROSE.
[_Holding out her hand to_ GERALD.] Good-night.
GERALD.
[_Taking it and looking at her._] Good-night.
ADMIRAL.
[_Gruffly._] You may as well do it in front of my face as behind my back.
ROSE.
[_Lifting up her lips._] Good-night.
[_He kisses her, and the_ ADMIRAL _and_ ROSE _go out._
LADY FREDERICK.
Oh lord, I wish I were eighteen.
[_She sinks into a chair, and an expression of utter weariness comes over her face._
GERALD.
I say, what's up?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Starting._] I thought you'd gone. Nothing.
GERALD.
Come, out with it.
LADY FREDERICK.