[MAGGIE thinks it probable but not important]
MAGGIE. Mr. Venables, now that I think of it, surely John wrote to me that you were dissatisfied with his first speech, and that he was writing another.
[The COMTESSE’s eyes open very wide indeed.]
VENABLES. I have heard nothing of that, Mrs. Shand. [He shakes his wise head.] And in any case, I am afraid—[He still hears the wooden leg.]
MAGGIE. But you said yourself that his second thoughts were sometimes such an improvement on the first.
[The COMTESSE comes to the help of the baggage.]
COMTESSE. I remember you saying that, Charles.
VENABLES. Yes, that has struck me. [Politely] Well, if he has anything to show me—In the meantime—
[He regains the lawn, like one glad to escape attendance at JOHN’S obsequies. The COMTESSE is brought back to speech by the sound of the mower—nothing wooden in it.]
COMTESSE. What are you up to now, Miss Pin? You know as well as I do that there is no such speech.