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Mrs. Wharton:“No, thank you. The only objection to afternoon tea is the tea.”

Mrs. Somers:“I’m so glad you don’t mind the weather.” With her hand on the teapot, glancing up at Miss Bayly: “And do you refuse too?”

Miss Bayly:“I can answer for Mrs. Canfield that she doesn’t, and I never do. We object to the weather.”

Mrs. Somers, pouring a cup of tea: “That makes it a little more difficult. I can keep from offering Mrs. Wharton some tea, but I can’t stop its snowing.”

Miss Bayly, taking her cup: “But you’re so amiable; we know you would if you could, and that’s quite enough. We’re not the first and only, are we?”

Mrs. Somers:“Dear, no! There are multitudes of flattering spirits in the library, stopping the mouth of my portrait with pretty speeches.”

Miss Bayly, vividly: “Not your Bramford portrait?”

Mrs. Somers:“My Bramford portrait.”

Miss Bayly, to the other ladies: “Oh, let us go and see it too!” They flutter out of the drawing-room, where Mrs. Somers and Campbell remain alone together as before. He continues silent, while she waits for him to speak.

VIII

[MRS. SOMERS; MR. CAMPBELL]

Mrs. Somers, finally: “Well?”

Campbell:“Well, what?”

Mrs. Somers:“Nothing. Only I thought you were–you were going to–“

Campbell:“No; I’ve got nothing to say.”

Mrs. Somers:“I didn’t mean that. I thought you were going to–go.” She puts up her hand and hides a triumphant little smile with it.

Campbell:“Very well, then, I’ll go, since you wish it.” He holds out his hand.

Mrs. Somers, putting hers behind her: “You’ve shaken hands once. Besides, who said I wished you to go?”

Campbell:“Do you wish me to stay?”

Mrs. Somers:“I wish you to–hand tea to people.”

Campbell:“And you won’t say anything more?”

Mrs. Somers:“It seems to me that’s enough.”

Campbell:“It isn’t enough for me. But I suppose beggars mustn’t be choosers. I can’t stay merely to hand tea to people, however. You can say yes or no now, Amy, as well as at any other time.”

Mrs. Somers:“Well, no, then–if you wish it so much.”

Campbell:“You know I don’t wish it.”

Mrs. Somers:“You gave me my choice. I thought you were indifferent about the word.”

Campbell:“You know better than that, Amy.”

Mrs. Somers:“Amy again! Aren’t you a little previous, Mr. Campbell?”

Campbell, with a sigh: “Ah, that’s for you to say.”

Mrs. Somers:“Wouldn’t it be impolite?”

Campbell:“Oh, not for you.”

Mrs. Somers:“If you’re so sarcastic, I shall be afraid of you.”

Campbell:“Under what circumstances?”

Mrs. Somers:, dropping her eyes: “I don’t know.” He makes a rush upon her. “Oh! here comes Mrs. Curwen! Shake hands, as if you were going.”

IX

[MRS. CURWEN; MRS. SOMERS; MR. CAMPBELL]

Mrs. Curwen:“What! is Mr. Campbell going, too?“

Mrs. Somers:“Too? You’re not going, Mrs. Curwen?”

Mrs. Curwen:“Yes, I’m going. The likeness is perfect, Mrs. Somers. It’s a speaking likeness, if there ever was one.”

Campbell:“Did it do all the talking?”

Mrs. Curwen:“It would–if Mrs. Roberts and Dr. Lawton hadn’t been there. Well, I must go.”

Campbell:“So must I.”

Mrs. Somers, in surprise: “Must you?”

Campbell:“Yes; these drifts will be over my ears directly.”

Mrs. Curwen: “You poor man! You don’t mean to say you’re walking?“