GERALD. It's all because of the news.
(He arranges her in her chair by the fire and sits on the coffin-stool near her.)
MISS FARRINGDON. I heard Mr. Todd and Letty just now, so I suppose I shan't be the first to hear it. What a pity!
GERALD. Ah, but they don't count.
MISS FARRINGDON. Why not?
GERALD. Well, that's part of the news. They've just got engaged.
MISS FARRINGDON. In my young days they'd have been engaged a long time ago. When are we going to see Pamela again?
GERALD. That's more of the news. She's coming down to-morrow.
MISS FARRINGDON. That will save you a lot in stamps.
GERALD (laughing). Aunt Tabitha, you're a witch. How did you know?
MISS FARRINGDON. Know what?
GERALD. That Pamela and I haven't been writing to each other.
MISS FARRINGDON (very innocently). Haven't you?
GERALD. No. You see--oh, I hate discussing Pamela with anyone, but you're different.
MISS FARRINGDON. I always like that sort of compliment best, Gerald. The unintended sort.
GERALD. I think, you know, Pamela felt that Bob's doing to prison might make a difference. I don't mean that she didn't like the disgrace for herself, but that she was afraid that I mightn't like it for her; and so she went away, and beyond a letter or two at the start there hasn't been a Pamela.
MISS FARRINGDON. But Gerald went on being successful?
GERALD. Oh, Aunt Tabitha, Aunt Tabitha, if ever I were going to be conceited--and I don't think I am really--you'd soon stop it, wouldn't you? I wonder if you _do_ know me as well as you think. You think I'm all outside, don't you, and inside there's nothing?
MISS FARRINGDON. Oh, you've got brains, I'll grant you that. You're the first Farringdon that's had any. Of the men, of course.
GERALD. Oh, brains--I don't mean brains. But you think that everything only touches me on the surface, and that nothing ever goes deep inside. You don't believe I ever loved Pamela; you don't believe I love her now. You don't believe I've got a heart at all.
MISS FARRINGDON. Well, you've never shown it. You've shown a lot of delightful things which silly people mistake for it--but that's all.
GERALD (curtly). No, I've never shown my heart to anybody. Some people can't. (Gently) Perhaps I'll show it to Pamela on my wedding-day.
MISS FARRINGDON. Dear me, have I been wrong all these years? I shouldn't like to think that. (After a pause) Any more news?
GERALD (taking his thoughts off PAMELA). Yes. Now _this_ time, Aunt Tabitha, you'll really be as pleased as I am.
MISS FARRINGDON. I wonder.
GERALD. Oh yes, you will, because it's about your favourite--Bob.
MISS FARRINGDON. So Bob's my favourite? I'm learning a good many things to-day.
GERALD. He's coming back this afternoon.
MISS FARRINGDON. Poor Bob! I'm glad he's finished with that part of it.
GERALD. You think he's got the worst part coming? (Smiling at her) Aunt Tabitha, have you got any influence with your nephew?
MISS FARRINGDON. You or Bob? (GERALD smiles and shakes his head.) Oh, you mean James?
GERALD. It seems hard to realize that one's father is anybody else's nephew, but you _are_ his aunt, and--Oh, don't let him do anything stupid about Bob.
MISS FARRINGDON. Bob's his own master; he's old enough to look after himself.
GERALD. Yes, but he's got in the way of being looked after by other people. I wish _you_ would look after him and tell him what to do. It's going to be difficult for him. I expect he'll want to get away from all of us for a bit. Where's he going, and what's he going to do?
MISS FARRINGDON (after a pause). When did you say Pamela was coming here?
GERALD. To-morrow. _She'll_ help, of course.
MISS FARRINGDON. Gerald, you've been very nice to me always; I don't know why I've been rather unkind to you sometimes.
GERALD. What an idea! You know I've loved our little skirmishes.
MISS FARRINGDON. That's because you've been happy, and haven't minded one way or another. But if ever you were in trouble, Gerald, I don't think I should be unsympathetic.
GERALD. You dear, of course you wouldn't. But why do you say that now, just when I _am_ so happy?
MISS FARRINGDON (getting up slowly). I'm feeling rather an old woman to-day. I think I'll go and lie down.
GERALD (jumping up). I'll ring for your maid.
MISS FARRINGDON. No, no; I'm not going upstairs, and I don't want a maid when I've got a great big nephew. Come and tuck me up on the sofa in the drawing-room; I shall be quite happy there.
(She puts her hand on his arm, and they go together towards the door in front of the staircase.)
MISS FARRINGDON. Poor Gerald!
GERALD (laughing). Why poor? [They go out together.]
[The door on the right at the back opens quietly and BOB comes in. He stands there for a moment looking at the hall, and then speaks over his shoulder to somebody behind him.]
BOB. It's all right, there's nobody here.
PAMELA. I wonder where Gerald is.
BOB. You're sure he's down here?
PAMELA. Yes, I had a letter from him; he told me he was going to be.
BOB (going up to her). Pamela, you can't see him alone.
PAMELA. I must. You can see him afterwards, but I must see him alone first. Poor Gerald!
BOB. He never really loved you.
PAMELA.
