HE. (frowning at a sudden memory) Hm. Didn't I see you at that real estate office in New York yesterday?
SHE. Yes. He was with me then.
HE. (compassionately) I—I thought I remembered seeing you with—with him.
SHE. (cheerfully) Isn't he just the sort of man who would be interested in family portraits?
HE. (confused) Well—since you ask me—
SHE. Oh, that's all right. Tubby's a dear, in spite of his funny old ideas. I like him very much.
HE. (gulping the pill) Yes….
SHE. He's so anxious to please me in buying this house. I suppose it's all right to have a house, but I'd like to become acquainted with it gradually. I'd like to feel that there was always some corner left to explore—some mystery saved up for a rainy day. Tubby can't understand that. He drags me everywhere, explaining how we'll keep this and change that—dormer windows here and perhaps a new wing there…. I suppose you've been rebuilding the house, too?
HE. No. Merely decided to turn that sunny south room into a study. It would make a very pleasant place to work. But if you really want the place, I'd hate to take it away from you.
SHE. I was just going to say that if you really wanted it, I'd withdraw. It was Tubby's idea to buy it, you know—not mine. You do want it, don't you?