‘I must say, I don’t blame Uncle Nat for barring your intended, Stephen,’ said Paula fairly.

Stephen did not seem to mind this candid opinion of his taste. He strolled over to the fire, and lowered his long limbs into an armchair. ‘The perfect anodyne,’ he said. ‘By the way, I don’t think your latest pick-up so bloody hot.’

‘Willoughby? Oh, I know, but he’s got genius! I don’t care about anything else. Besides, I’m not in love with him. But what you can see in that brainless doll beats me!’

‘My good girl, what I see in her must be abundantly plain to everyone,’ said Stephen. ‘This playwriting wen of yours sees it too, not to mention Joe, whose tongue is fairly hanging out.’

‘Close-up of the Herriards,’ said Mathilda, lying back in her chair, and lazily regarding brother and sister. ‘Cads, both. Carry on: don’t mind me.’

‘Well, I believe in being honest,’ said Paula. ‘You are a fool, Stephen! She wouldn’t have got engaged to you if she hadn’t thought you’d come in for all Uncle Nat’s money.’

‘I know,’ said Stephen blandly.

‘And if you ask me she came down here with you on purpose to mash Uncle Nat.’

‘I know,’ said Stephen again.

Their eyes met; Stephen’s lips twitched suddenly, and, while Mathilda lay and watched them, he and Paula went off into fits of helpless laughter.

‘You and your Willoughby, and me and my Val!’ gasped Stephen. ‘Oh, lord!’

Paula dried her eyes, instantly sobered by the mention of her playwright. ‘Yes, I know it’s funny, but I’m serious about that, because he really has written a great play, and I’m going to act the lead in it, if it’s the last thing I do. I shall get him to read it aloud to you all tomorrow –’

‘What? Oh, God, be good to me! Not to Uncle as well? Don’t, Paula, it hurts!’

‘When you’ve quite finished,’ said Mathilda, ‘will you explain the exact nature of this treat you have in store for us, Paula? Are you going to read your own part, or is it to be a one-man show?’

‘I shall let Willoughby read nearly all himself. He does it very well. I might do my big scene, perhaps.’

‘And you actually think, my poor, besotted wench, that this intellectual feast is going to soften your Uncle Nat’s heart? Now it’s my turn to enjoy a laugh!’

‘He’s got to back it!’ Paula said fiercely. ‘It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted, and it would be too wickedly cruel not to do it for me!’

‘I will lay you odds you’re in for a disappointment, ducky. I don’t wish to throw a damper on your girlish enthusiasm, but the moment doesn’t seem to me propitious.’

‘It’s all Stephen’s fault for bringing that sickening blonde here!’ Paula said. ‘Anyway, I’ve got Uncle Joe to put in a word for me.’

‘That’ll help a lot,’ mocked Stephen. ‘Just fancy!’

‘Lay off Joe!’ commanded Mathilda. ‘He may be God’s own ass, but he’s the only decent member of your family I’ve ever been privileged to meet. Besides, he likes you.’