Charles.
[Intervening nervously.] No, no, Sir. Of course not.
Hardcastle.
But when I find my daughter laying aside her finery and looking after her house, I cannot conceal my satisfaction. Ah, Charles, you have improved her greatly. When she lived at home, you remember, I had hard enough work to persuade her to lay aside fine clothes and wear her housewife’s dress in the evenings. As for sweeping, I never even ventured to suggest it.
Kate.
[Indignantly.] I should think not!
Hardcastle.
And yet, Kate, if you knew how charming you look in a print frock, a cap and apron——
Kate.
[Laughing in spite of herself.] You, too! Really, papa, I’m ashamed of you. However, you seem both of you determined that I should pass the remainder of my days as a housemaid, so I suppose you must have your way. This is what comes of “stooping to conquer.” Now go away, both of you, and leave me to finish sweeping.