CLEVELAND. Then you bear me no malice?
ROSE. Not enough to kill a gnat.
CLEVELAND. Ah, Miss Elsworth, this assurance gives me the greatest pleasure.
ROSE. Don't hurt the poor fellow though, Major, I beg of you. I should be quite sorry if anything happened to him. He is a good-natured, useful neighbour enough—an unpolished jewel, papa calls him. Ah, Major, our social wants in this community are lamentable enough, when we are obliged to content ourselves with such a poor substitute as you have seen, for all the polish and manner of London circles.
CLEVELAND. Lamentable, indeed, Miss Elsworth!
ROSE. The war brings one boon, at least,—the society of gentlemen.
CLEVELAND. Very true, indeed.
ROSE. [Aside.] Hem! Major Cleveland, I'll so wheedle you this night you shall cry enough to a woman, even if it so happen that you have never done it to a man. So look to it, my valiant Major! Look to it!
CLEVELAND. Do you know, dear Miss Elsworth, that I could wish to see you in these troubled times united to some one who could afford you the protection which only a husband can extend?
ROSE. [Behind her fan.] Oh, Major!