honor. Someone has to.
alice. [discreetly nibbling a nut, which edward has cracked for her.] I'm afraid I think Master Major Booth ought to have been taken in hand early . . with a cane.
honor. [as she vaguely burrows into corners.] Papa did. But it's never prevented him booming at us . . oh, ever since he was a baby. Now he's flustered me so I simply can't think where this blue silk is.
alice. All the Pettifers desired to be remembered to you, Edward.
honor. I must do without it. [but she goes on looking.] I think, Alice, that we're a very difficult family . . except perhaps Edward.
edward. Why except me?
honor. [Who has only excepted out of politeness to present company.] Well, you may be difficult . . to yourself. [Then she starts to go, threading her way through the disarranged chairs.] Mr. Colpus will shout so loud at Mother and she hates people to think she's so very deaf. I thought Mary Pettifer looking old . . [and she talks herself out of the room.]
alice. [after her.] She's getting old.
Now alice does sit down; as if she'd be glad of her tête-a-tête.