SUSAN. I am happy to inform you, sir, that Livvy finds herself much improved.
VALENTINE (bolting ). It is joy to me to hear it.
MISS SUSAN. She is coming in to see you.
PATTY (aghast ). Oh, ma'am!
VALENTINE (frowning on PATTY). I shall be happy to see the poor invalid.
PATTY. Ma'am !
(But MISS SUSAN, believing that so far all is well, has returned to the bedchamber . CAPTAIN BROWN bestows a quizzical glance upon the maid. )
PATTY. But but
VALENTINE. Retire, woman.
(She has to go, and he prepares his face for the reception of the invalid . PHOEBE comes in without her cap, the ringlets showing again. She wears a dressing jacket and is supported by MISS SUSAN.)gravely
PHOEBE (weakly ). How do you do?
VALENTINE. Allow me, Miss Susan.
(He takes MISS SUSAN'S place; but after an exquisite moment MISS PHOEBE breaks away from him, feeling that she is not worthy of such bliss. )
(She reclines upon the couch. )
MISS SUSAN. How do you think she is looking?
(He makes a professional examination of the patient, and they are very ashamed to deceive him, but not so ashamed that they must confess.)
VALENTINE (solemnly ). She will recover. May I say, ma'am, it surprises me that any one should see much resemblance between you and your Aunt Phoebe. Miss Phoebe is decidedly shorter and more thick-set.
PHOEBE (sitting up ). No, I am not.
VALENTINE. I said Miss Phoebe, ma'am. (She reclines. ) But tell me, is not Miss Phoebe to join us?
PHOEBE. She hopes you will excuse her, sir.
MISS SUSAN (vaguely ). Taking the opportunity of airing the room.
VALENTINE. Ah, of course.
MISS SUSAN (opening bedroom door and catting mendaciously ). Captain Brown will excuse you, Phoebe.
VALENTINE. Certainly, Miss Susan. Well, ma'am, I think I could cure Miss Livvy if she is put unreservedly into my hands.
MISS SUSAN (with a sigh ). I am sure you could.
VALENTINE. Then you are my patient, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE (nervously ). 'Twas but a passing indisposition, I am almost quite recovered.
VALENTINE. Nay, you still require attention. Do you propose making a long stay in Quality Street, ma'am?
PHOEBE. I I I hope not. It it depends.
MISS SUSAN (forgetting herself ). Mary is the worst.
VALENTINE. I ask your pardon?
PHOEBE. Aunt Susan, you are excited.
VALENTINE. But you are quite right, Miss Livvy; home is the place for you.
PHOEBE. Would that I could go!
VALENTINE. You are going.
PHOEBE. Yes soon.
VALENTINE. Indeed, I have a delightful surprise for you, Miss Livvy, you are going to-day.
PHOEBE. To-day?
VALENTINE. Not merely to-day, but now. As it happens, my carriage is standing idle at your door, and I am to take you in it to your home some twenty miles if I remember.
PHOEBE. You are to take me?
VALENTINE. Nay, 'tis no trouble at all, and as your physician my mind is made up. Some wraps for her, Miss Susan.
MISS SUSAN. But but
PHOEBE (in a panic ). Sir, I decline to go.
VALENTINE. Come, Miss Livvy, you are in my hands.
PHOEBE. I decline. I am most determined.
VALENTINE. You admit yourself that you are recovered.
PHOEBE. I do not feel so well now. Aunt Susan!
MISS SUSAN. Sir
VALENTINE.
If you wish to consult Miss Phoebe
MISS SUSAN. Oh, no.
VALENTINE. Then the wraps, Miss Susan.
PHOEBE. Auntie, don't leave me.
VALENTINE. What a refractory patient it is. But reason with her, Miss Susan, and I shall ask Miss Phoebe for some wraps.
PHOEBE. Sir!
(To their consternation he goes cheerily into the bedroom . MISS PHOEBE saves herself by instant flight, and nothing but mesmeric influence keeps MISS SUSAN rooted to the blue and white room. When he returns he is loaded with wraps, and still cheerfully animated, as if he had found nothing untoward in LIVVY'S bedchamber. )
MISS SUSAN. But Phoebe
VALENTINE. If I swathe Miss Livvy in these
MISS SUSAN. Phoebe
VALENTINE. She is still busy airing the room. (The extraordinary man goes to the couch as if unable to perceive that its late occupant has gone, and MISS SUSAN watches him, fascinated. ) Come, Miss Livvy, put these over you. Allow me this one over your shoulders, so. Be so obliging as to lean on me. Be brave, ma'am, you cannot fall my arm is round you; gently, gently, Miss Livvy; ah, that is better; we are doing famously; come, come. Good-bye, Miss Susan, I will take every care of her.
(He has gone, with the bundle on his arm, but MISS SUSAN does not wake up. Even the banging of the outer door is unable to rouse her. It is heard, however, by MISS PHOEBE, who steals back into the room, her cap upon her head to give her courage. )rapt face alarms her.
MISS SUSAN (in tones unnatural to her ). Phoebe, he knows all.
PHOEBE. Yes, of course he knows all now. Sister, did his face change? Oh, Susan, what did he say?
MISS SUSAN. He said 'Good-bye, Miss Susan.' That was almost all he said.
PHOEBE. Did his eyes flash fire?
MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, it was what he did. He he took Livvy with him.
PHOEBE. Susan, dear, don't say that. You are not distraught, are you?
MISS SUSAN (clinging to facts ). He did; he wrapped her up in a shawl.