He looks at her curiously.
trebell. Your ambition is making for only second-hand satisfaction though.
lucy. What's a woman to do? She must work through men, mustn't she?
trebell. I'm told that's degrading . . the influencing of husbands and brothers and sons.
lucy. [Only half humorously.] But what else is one to do with them? Of course, I've enough money to live on . . so I could take up some woman's profession. . . What are you smiling at?
trebell. [Who has smiled very broadly.] As you don't mean to . . don't stop while I tell you.
lucy. But I'd sooner get married. I want to have children. [The words catch him and hold him. He looks at her reverently this time. She remembers she has transgressed convention; then, remembering that it is only convention, proceeds quite simply.] I hope we shall have children.
trebell. I hope so.
lucy. Thank you. That's the first kind thing you've said.
trebell. Oh . . you can do without compliments, can't you?