Part 11 (1/2)

JINNY. [_Looking up from her letter._] Oh! what do you think?

AUSTIN. That you're the sweetest woman in the world.

JINNY. No, _darling_, I mean _who_ do you think Geoffrey says is over here and in Italy?

AUSTIN. I haven't the most remote idea! So far as _I've_ been able to observe there has been absolutely _no one_ in Italy but _you and me_.

JINNY. If you keep on talking like that, I shall kiss you!

AUSTIN. What! before the tall, white gentleman? [_Motioning to Apollo._]

I am dumb.

JINNY. [_Very lovingly._] Silly! Well!--Mrs. Cullingham and Peter are over here and have brought Ruth Chester!

AUSTIN. [_Speaking without thinking._] Then it _was_ her back.

JINNY. [_With the smallest sharpening of the look in her eye._] When?

AUSTIN. That I saw just now.

JINNY. [_With the tiniest suggestion of a strain in her voice._] You said you didn't know whom it reminded you of.

AUSTIN. Yes, I know, I didn't quite.

JINNY. But if you thought it was Ruth Chester, why not have said so?

AUSTIN. No reason, dear, I simply didn't think.

JINNY. Well-- [_Sententiously._] --_next time--think!_

AUSTIN. What else does Geoffrey say?

JINNY. Oh, nothing. The heat for two days was frightful--already they miss me more than he can say--

[_Interrupted._

AUSTIN. I'll bet.

JINNY. Father smoked nineteen cigars a day the first week I was gone.

AUSTIN. _I_ haven't _had_ to smoke _any_!

JINNY. Mercy! don't boast!--and he thinks they will all soon go to Long Island for the summer.

AUSTIN. Doesn't he say a word nor a hint at his going West?

JINNY. No, he says he may go to Newport for August, and that's all.

[_Putting away letter, and getting out others._