"My good girl, what I see in her must be abundantly plain to everyone," said Stephen. "This playwriting wen of yours sees it too, not to mention Joe, whose tongue is fairly hanging out."
"Close-up of the Herriards," said Mathilda, lying back in her chair, and lazily regarding brother and sister. "Cads, both. Carry on: don't mind me."
"Well, I believe in being honest," said Paula. "You are a fool, Stephen! She wouldn't have got engaged to you if she hadn't thought you'd come in for all Uncle Nat's money."
"I know," said Stephen blandly.
"And if you ask me she came down here with you on purpose to mash Uncle Nat."
"I know," said Stephen again.
Their eyes met; Stephen's lips twitched suddenly, and, while Mathilda lay and watched them, he and Paula went off into fits of helpless laughter."
"You and your Willoughby, and me and my Val!" gasped Stephen. "Oh, lord!"
Paula dried her eyes, instantly sobered by the mention of her play wright. "Yes, I know it's funny, but I'm serious about that, because he really has written a great play, and I'm going to act the lead in it, if it's the last thing I do. I shall get him to read it aloud to you all tomorrow -"
"What? Oh, God, be good to me! Not to Uncle as well? Don't, Paula, it hurts!"