JACK (reprovingly). My mother's mistress of this house, Elsie.
ELSIE. This house. Yes. But we're going to be happy in a cottage on the moors by Birchester, and if people who've forgotten what it is to be young try any interference, so much the worse for them.
JACK (angrily). Did you tell her that before you asked about the marrying?
ELSIE. Tell her what?
JACK. That you expected her to take a back seat and watch you interfering with her arrangements?
ELSIE. Interfering's not the word. They'll be revolutionized. Our cottage will be run on rational and hygienic principles.
JACK. I'd rather have it comfortable.
ELSIE. It will be comfortable.
JACK. With you and her squabbling all the time?
ELSIE (very discouraged, but still brave). We shan't squabble if she'll be sensible.