COLONEL. 'Won't you come also? Perhaps if I am with you--' ALICE, after giving him an annihilating look, 'No, I--I had quite a long time with her.' The Colonel tiptoes off to his babe with a countenance of foolish rapture; and mother and daughter are alone. AMY, wishing her father would come back, 'You can't have been very long with baby, mother.' ALICE. 'Quite long enough.' AMY. 'Oh.' Some seconds elapse before she can speak again. 'You will have some tea, won't you?' ALICE. 'Thank you, dear.' They sit down to a chilly meal. AMY, merely a hostess, 'Both milk and sugar.' ALICE, merely a guest, 'No sugar.' AMY. 'I hope you will like the house, mother.' ALICE. 'I am sure you have chosen wisely. I see you are artistic.' AMY. 'The decoration isn't finished. I haven't quite decided what this room is to be like yet.' ALICE. 'One never can tell.' AMY, making conversation, 'Did you notice that there is a circular drive to the house?' ALICE. 'No, I didn't notice.' AMY. 'That would be because the cab filled it; but you can see it if you are walking.' ALICE. 'I shall look out for it.' Grown desperate, 'Amy, have you nothing more important to say to me?' AMY, faltering, 'You mean--the keys? Here they are; all with labels on them. And here are the tradesmen's books. They are all paid up to Wednesday.' She sadly lets them go. They lie disregarded in her mother's lap. ALICE. 'Is there nothing else?' AMY, with a flash of pride. 'Perhaps you have noticed that my hair is