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HYPATIA. Do you think Bentley will ever be as big a man as his father? I dont mean clever: I mean big and strong.

MRS TARLETON. Not he. Hes overbred, like one of those expensive little dogs. I like a bit of a mongrel myself, whether it’s a man or a dog: theyre the best for everyday. But we all have our tastes: whats one woman’s meat is another woman’s poison. Bunny’s a dear little fellow; but I never could have fancied him for a husband when I was your age.

HYPATIA. Yes; but he has some brains. Hes not like all the rest. One can’t have everything.

MRS TARLETON. Oh, youre quite right, dear: quite right. It’s a great thing to have brains: look what it’s done for your father! Thats the reason I never said a word when you jilted poor Jerry Mackintosh.

HYPATIA. [excusing herself] I really couldnt stick it out with Jerry, mother. I know you liked him; and nobody can deny that hes a splendid animal–

MRS TARLETON. [shocked] Hypatia! How can you! The things that girls say nowadays!

HYPATIA. Well, what else can you call him? If I’d been deaf or he’d been dumb, I could have married him. But living with father, Ive got accustomed to cleverness. Jerry would drive me mad: you know very well hes a fool: even Johnny thinks him a fool.

MRS TARLETON. [up in arms at once in defence of her boy] Now dont begin about my Johnny. You know it annoys me. Johnny’s as clever as anybody else in his own way. I dont say hes as clever as you in some ways; but hes a man, at all events, and not a little squit of a thing like your Bunny.

HYPATIA. Oh, I say nothing against your darling: we all know Johnny’s perfection.

MRS TARLETON. Dont be cross, dearie. You let Johnny alone; and I’ll let Bunny alone. I’m just as bad as you. There!

HYPATIA. Oh, I dont mind your saying that about Bentley. It’s true. He is a little squit of a thing. I wish he wasnt. But who else is there? Think of all the other chances Ive had! Not one of them has as much brains in his whole body as Bentley has in his little finger. Besides, theyve no distinction. It’s as much as I can do to tell one from the other. They wouldnt even have money if they werent the sons of their fathers, like Johnny. Whats a girl to do? I never met anybody like Bentley before. He may be small; but hes the best of the bunch: you cant deny that.

MRS TARLETON. [with a sigh] Well, my pet, if you fancy him, theres no more to be said.

[A pause follows this remark: the two women sewing silently.]

HYPATIA. Mother: do you think marriage is as much a question of fancy as it used to be in your time and father’s?

MRS TARLETON. Oh, it wasnt much fancy with me, dear: your father just wouldnt take no for an answer; and I was only too glad to be his wife instead of his shop-girl. Still, it’s curious; but I had more choice than you in a way, because, you see, I was poor; and there are so many more poor men than rich ones that I might have had more of a pick, as you might say, if John hadnt suited me.