again.' AMY, damped, 'Thank you, mother----Of course I have been looking forward to this meeting very much also.' ALICE, shuddering, 'It is very sweet of you to say so.' 'Oh how cold,' they are both thinking, while the Colonel regards them uncomfortably. Amy turns to him. She knows already that there is safe harbourage there. AMY. 'Would you have known me, father?' COLONEL. 'I wonder. She's not like you, Alice?' ALICE. 'No. _I_ used to be demonstrative, Amy----' AMY, eagerly, 'Were you?' ALICE, hurriedly, 'Oh, I grew out of it long ago.' AMY, disappointed but sympathetic, 'The wear and tear of life.' ALICE, wincing, 'No doubt.' AMY, making conversation, 'You have seen Cosmo?' ALICE. 'Yes.' AMY, with pardonable curiosity, 'What did you think of him?' ALICE. 'He--seemed a nice boy----' AMY, hurt, 'And baby?' ALICE. 'Yes--oh yes.' AMY. 'Isn't she fat?' ALICE. 'Is she?' The nurse's head intrudes. NURSE. 'If you please, sir--I think baby wants _you_ again.' The Colonel's face exudes complacency, but he has the grace to falter. COLONEL. 'What do you think, Alice?' ALICE, broken under the blow, 'By all means go.'