PHOEBE. Susan, you pain me. She who marries without telling all—hers must ever be a false face. They are his own words.
(PATTY enters importantly.)
PATTY. Captain Brown.
PHOEBE (starting up). I wrote to him, begging him not to come.
MISS SUSAN (quickly). Patty, I am sorry we are out.
(But VALENTINE has entered in time to hear her words.)
VALENTINE (not unmindful that this is the room in which he is esteemed a wit). I regret that they are out, Patty, but I will await their return. (The astonishing man sits on the ottoman beside MISS SUSAN, but politely ignores her presence.) It is not my wish to detain you, Patty.
(PATTY goes reluctantly, and the sisters think how like him, and how delightful it would be if they were still the patterns of propriety he considers them.)
PHOEBE (bravely). Captain Brown.
VALENTINE (rising). You, Miss Phoebe. I hear Miss Livvy is indisposed?