Arnold. I should like you to know that it’s not by my wish that my father is here.
Lady Kitty. But I’m so interested to see him.
Arnold. I was afraid that you and Lord Porteous must find it embarrassing.
Lady Kitty. Oh, no. Hughie was his greatest friend. They were at Eton and Oxford together. I think your father has improved so much since I saw him last. He wasn’t good-looking as a young man, but now he’s quite handsome.
[The Footman brings in a tray on which are tea-things.
Lady Kitty. Shall I pour it out for you?
Arnold. Thank you very much.
Lady Kitty. Do you take sugar?
Arnold. No. I gave it up during the war.
Lady Kitty. So wise of you. It’s so bad for the figure. Besides being patriotic, of course. Isn’t it absurd that I should ask my son if he takes sugar or not? Life is really very quaint. Sad, of course, but oh, so quaint! Often I lie in bed at night and have a good laugh to myself as I think how quaint life is.