Mrs. Tid. (to herself). A guinea, at the very least! (Aloud.) I'm sorry you think my head's so easily turned, Aunt Joanna! If you'd noticed how I behaved to him, you wouldn't say so. Why, I scarcely spoke to the man!
Mrs. Gilw. I was watching you, Maria. And sorry I was to see that being next to a member of the nobility overawed you to that extent you could hardly open your mouth. So unlike your Uncle Gabriel!
Mrs. Tid. (hurt at this injustice). Overawed, indeed! I'm sure it was no satisfaction to me to see him here! No, Aunt the only people I welcome at my table are those in my own rank of life—relations and old friends like you and the others. And how you can think I was dazzled by a trumpery title when I sent him in with the Governess——!
Mrs. Gil. Ah, you make too much of that girl, Maria. I've noticed it, and others have noticed it. She takes too much upon herself! The idea of letting her forbid Gwendolen to recite—no wonder your authority over the child is weakened! I should have insisted on obedience.
Mrs. Tid. (roused). I hope I know how to make my own child obey me. Gwendolen, come out of that corner. Put down your book. (Gwen. obeys.) I wish you to repeat something to your Auntie—what you refused to say downstairs—you know what I mean!
Gwen. Do you mean the thing Miss Seaton said I wasn't to, because you'd be angry?
Mrs. Tid. (majestically). Miss Seaton had no business to know whether I should be angry or not. She is only your Governess—I am your Mother. And I shall be extremely angry if you don't repeat it at once—in fact, I shall send you off to bed. So you can choose for yourself.
Gwen. I don't want to go to bed ... I'll tell, if I may whisper it.
Mrs. Tid. Well, if you are too shy to speak out loud, you may whisper. You see, Aunt, I am not quite such a cipher as you fancied!
[Gwen. puts her mouth to Mrs. Gilwattle's ear, and proceeds to whisper.