Scene III In Guy Fallon’s Garden

Mrs. Kontorompa. What an exquisite day! How do you do?

Mariana. How do you do? Yes, isn’t it?

Guy. We’ve been talking, Katya.

Katya. Yes?... I think the fuchsias are better than ever this year, don’t you, mamma?

Mrs. K. Yes, darling. Oh, Katya, I am so pleased.

Katya. How nice, mamma! I like you to be happy. But what has happened?

Mrs. K. Oh—er—nothing. Nothing that I know of. But Guy has promised to....

Mariana. I’m afraid I must be really going now, Katya, dear.

Mrs. K. Oh, don’t run away just because I’ve come.

Mariana. Oh, Mrs. Kontorompa, it wasn’t that. But, you see....

Katya. Mariana feels embarrassed.

Mariana. Oh—no, dear: why should I?

Guy. You felt that mamma was going to say something.

Mrs. K. Yes—that’s quite right. You’ve reminded me. Katya, I was going to say that Guy has promised to....

Guy. To do my best to....

Mrs. K. Win you over.

Katya. Me? Win me over? To what?

Guy. Bars on the window—a wicket-gate on the landing.

Katya. But I am won over. I always have been.

Mrs. K. Then it is your fault, Guy.

Guy. If I’d only known! You see, you never told me.

Mariana. How mysterious all this sounds.

Mrs. K. Well, Mariana, this is how it stands. You see, Guy and Katya have been married three years and....

Mariana. Oh yes: quite. I understand. Good-bye, Mrs. Kontorompa. Good-bye, Katya. Goo....

Guy. Really, mamma.

Katya. Really, mamma.

Mrs. K. Oh, dear, dear! What have I said?

Katya. Ah, here’s tea coming!

Mrs. K. Oh, I can’t stop. I must hurry home and tell papa the good news. So very satisfactory! These modern times—the things people do. Don’t they, dear?

Mariana. And don’t do, too.

Mrs. K. Yes. Well, Guy, I keep you to your word. I shall expect to hear some news shortly. Good-bye, dear Katya. So satisfactory. Take care of yourself, dear.

Guy. Why, what has happened, Katya?

Katya. Nothing. Mother merely anticipates.