julia. More tea, Laura?

(Laura pushes her cup at her without remark, for she has been kept waiting; then, in loud tones, to suit the one whom she presumes to be rather deaf:)

laura. Mother! Where are you living now?

mrs. r. I'm living, my dear.

laura. I said 'where?'

julia. We live where it suits us, Laura.

laura. Julia, I wasn't addressing myself to you. Mother, where are you living? . . . Why, where has she gone to?

(For now we perceive that this gentle Old Lady so devious in her conversation has a power of self-possession, of which, very retiringly, she avails herself.)

julia (improving the occasion, as she hands back the cup, with that touch of superiority so exasperating to a near relative). Now you see! If you press her too much, she goes. . . . You'll have to accommodate yourself, Laura.

laura (imposing her own explanation). I think you gave me green tea, Julia . . . or have had it yourself.