JOHN.
I wish you wouldn"t wear such prominent hats.
MABEL.
[_As he puts his arm round her waist._] John, some body"ll see us.
JOHN.
Mabel, I command you to let yourself be kissed.
MABEL.
How much will you give me?
JOHN.
Sixpence.
MABEL.
[_Slipping away from him._] I can"t do it for less than half-a-crown.
JOHN.
[_Laughing._] I"ll give you two shillings.
MABEL.
[_Coaxing._] Make it two-and-three.
[_He kisses her._
JOHN.
Now come and sit down quietly.
MABEL.
[_Sitting down by his side._] John, you mustn"t make love to me. It would look so odd if they came in.
JOHN.
After all, I am your husband.
MABEL.
That"s just it. If you wanted to make love to me you ought to have married somebody else. [_He puts his arm round her waist._] John, don"t, I"m sure they"ll come in.
JOHN.
I don"t care if they do.
MABEL.
[_Sighing._] John, you do love me?
JOHN.
Yes.
MABEL.
And you won"t ever care for anybody else?
JOHN.
No.
MABEL.
[_In the same tone._] And you will give me that two-and-threepence, won"t you?
JOHN.
Mabel, it was only two shillings.
MABEL.
Oh, you cheat!
JOHN.
[_Getting up._] I"m going out on the balcony. I"m pa.s.sionately devoted to chimney-pots.
MABEL.
No, John, I want you.
JOHN.
Why?
MABEL.
Isn"t it enough for me to say I want you for you to hurl yourself at my feet immediately?
JOHN.