alice. 'M. The baby bride and I bought clothes all the morning. Then we had lunch with Denis and bought furniture.
beatrice. Nice furniture?
alice. It'll be very good and very new. They neither of them know what they want. [Then suddenly throwing up her chin and exclaiming.] When it's a question of money I can understand it . . but if one can provide for oneself or is independent why get married! Especially having been brought up on the sheltered life principle . . one may as well make the most of its advantages . . one doesn't go falling in love all over the place as men seem to . . most of them. Of course with Ethel and Denis it's different. They've both been caught young. They're two little birds building their nests and it's all ideal. They'll soon forget they've ever been apart.
Now honor flutters into the room, patient but wild eyed.
honor. Mother wants last week's Notes and Queries. Have you seen it?
beatrice. [exasperated at the interruption.] No.
honor. It ought not to be in here. [so she proceeds to look for it.] She's having a long argument with Mr. Colpus over Oliver Cromwell's relations.
alice. [her eyes twinkling.] I thought Auntie didn't approve of Oliver Cromwell.
honor. She doesn't and she's trying to prove that he was a brewer or something. I suppose someone has taken it away.
So she gives up the search and flutters out again.