The gentleman [taking off his hat] I beg your pardon.  Can you direct me to Hindhead View—­Mrs Alison’s?

The young lady [glancing up from her book] This is Mrs Alison’s. [She resumes her work].

The gentleman.  Indeed!  Perhaps—­may I ask are you Miss Vivie Warren?

The young lady [sharply, as she turns on her elbow to get a good look at him] Yes.

The gentleman [daunted and conciliatory] I’m afraid I appear intrusive.  My name is Praed. [Vivie at once throws her books upon the chair, and gets out of the hammock].  Oh, pray don’t let me disturb you.

Vivie [striding to the gate and opening it for him] Come in, Mr Praed. [He comes in].  Glad to see you. [She proffers her hand and takes his with a resolute and hearty grip.  She is an attractive specimen of the sensible, able, highly-educated young middle-class Englishwoman.  Age 22.  Prompt, strong, confident, self-possessed.  Plain business-like dress, but not dowdy.  She wears a chatelaine at her belt, with a fountain pen and a paper knife among its pendants].

Praed. Very kind of you indeed, Miss Warren. [She shuts the gate with a vigorous slam.  He passes in to the middle of the garden, exercising his fingers, which are slightly numbed by her greeting].  Has your mother arrived?

Vivie [quickly, evidently scenting aggression] Is she coming?

Praed [surprised] Didn’t you expect us?

Vivie.  No.

Praed. Now, goodness me, I hope I’ve not mistaken the day.  That would be just like me, you know.  Your mother arranged that she was to come down from London and that I was to come over from Horsham to be introduced to you.

Vivie [not at all pleased] Did she?  Hm!  My mother has rather a trick of taking me by surprise—­to see how I behave myself while she’s away, I suppose.  I fancy I shall take my mother very much by surprise one of these days, if she makes arrangements that concern me without consulting me beforehand.  She hasnt come.

Praed [embarrassed] I’m really very sorry.

Vivie [throwing off her displeasure] It’s not your fault, Mr Praed, is it?  And I’m very glad you’ve come.  You are the only one of my mother’s friends I have ever asked her to bring to see me.

Praed [relieved and delighted] Oh, now this is really very good of you, Miss Warren!

Vivie.  Will you come indoors; or would you rather sit out here and talk?

Praed. It will be nicer out here, don’t you think?

Vivie.  Then I’ll go and get you a chair. [She goes to the porch for a garden chair].

Praed [following her] Oh, pray, pray!  Allow me. [He lays hands on the chair].

Vivie [letting him take it] Take care of your fingers; theyre rather dodgy things, those chairs. [She goes across to the chair with the books on it; pitches them into the hammock; and brings the chair forward with one swing].