BASTLING.
It"s settled.
SOPHY.
Settled!
BASTLING.
She"s mine, Sophy.
SOPHY.
[_With a gasp._] Yours!
BASTLING.
We"re going to be married at once--next week. We shall need your help still. Of course, it must be a secret marriage. She will follow me out by-and-by.
SOPHY.
[_Nodding, dully._] Oh, yes.
BASTLING.
Why, aren"t you glad about it? [_Smilingly._] Don"t you congratulate us?
SOPHY.
C--certainly.
BASTLING.
Good. And--[_shaking hands with her_] thanks to _you_. [_Releasing her hand._] Thanks.
SOPHY.
[_Nerving herself for her task._] Thanks!
BASTLING.
A million of "em; What"s the matter?
SOPHY.
Oh, nothing.
BASTLING.
Yes, there is. Come, out with it.
SOPHY.
Well--_thanks_! [_Tossing her head._] There isn"t much in thanks.
BASTLING.
[_Puzzled._] Not much in thanks?
SOPHY.
[_Turning away, pouting._] _I_ think not.
BASTLING.
[_Smiling._] Oh, I know I owe a tremendous deal to the pretty manicurist, and I don"t intend to forget it. Just now I"m rather hard-up, [_glancing towards the window_] but I shall be in funds before long--
SOPHY.
[_Turning to him with genuine indignation._] Oh!
BASTLING.
What do you want, then?
SOPHY.
[_After a moment"s hesitation, sidling up to him._] Not money.
BASTLING.
Not?
SOPHY.
A little more than plain thanks though.
BASTLING.
[_Looking into her eyes, laughing softly._] Ha, ha, ha!
SOPHY.
[_Slyly._] Ha, ha, ha!
BASTLING.
Thanks--differently expressed--? [_She plays with the lapel of his coat and giggles. He takes her chin in his hand._] Ha, ha, ha! Sophy!