Miss P.'s V. Well, my dear MAUD, I confess that I—
Culch. It's quite impossible to make them hear down there, and it's no fault of ours if their voices reach us occasionally. And it does seem to me, PODBURY, that, in a matter which may be of vital importance to me—to us both—it would be absurd to be over-scrupulous. But of course you will please yourself. I intend to remain where I am.
[PODBURY makes a faint-hearted attempt to go, but ends by resigning himself to the situation.
Miss T.'s V. Now, HYPATIA PRENDERGAST, don't tell me you're not interested in him! And he's more real suited to you than ever Mr. PODBURY was. Now, isn't that so?
Culch. (withdrawing his head). Did you hear, PODBURY? She's actually pleading for me! Isn't she an angel? Be quiet, now. I must hear the answer!
Miss P.'s V. I—I don't know, really. But, MAUD, I want to speak to you about—Somebody. You can't think how he adores you, poor fellow! I have noticed it for a long time.
Podb. (beaming). CULCHARD! You heard? She's putting in a word for me. What a brick that girl is!
Miss T.'s V. I guess he's pretty good at concealing his feelings, then. He's been keeping far enough away!
Miss P.'s V. That was my fault. I kept him by me. You see, I believed you had quite decided to accept Mr. CULCHARD.
Miss T.'s V. Well, it does strike me that, considering he was adoring me all this time, he let himself be managed tolerable easy.