ALICE, after giving him an annihilating look, ‘No, I—I had quite a long time with her.’
The Colonel tiptoes off to his babe with a countenance of foolish rapture; and mother and daughter are alone.
AMY, wishing her father would come back, ‘You can’t have been very long with baby, mother.’
ALICE. ‘Quite long enough.’
AMY. ‘Oh.’ Some seconds elapse before she can speak again. ‘You will have some tea, won’t you?’
ALICE. ‘Thank you, dear.’ They sit down to a chilly meal.
AMY, merely a hostess, ‘Both milk and sugar.’
ALICE, merely a guest, ‘No sugar.’
AMY. ‘I hope you will like the house, mother.’
ALICE. ‘I am sure you have chosen wisely. I see you are artistic.’