STRANGER. You want to know a lot, don't you? Well, I'm not married.
LADY PEMBURY. I was thinking how much nicer it is when you can share that sort of news with somebody else, somebody you love. It makes good news so much better, and bad news so much more bearable.
STRANGER. That's what you and your husband do, is it?
LADY PEMBURY (nodding). Always. For eight-and-twenty years.
STRANGER. He tells you everything, eh?
LADY PEMBURY. Well, not his official secrets, of course. Everything else.
STRANGER. Ha! I wonder.
LADY PEMBURY. But you have nobody, you say. Well, you must share your good news with me. Will you?
STRANGER. Oh yes, you shall hear about it all right.
LADY PEMBURY. That's nice of you. Well then, first question. How much money is it going to be?