COLONEL.[Rising.]I'll take two thousand of those shares,Lever.
To have my wife talk like that--I 'm quite ashamed.
LEVER.Oh,come,sir,Mrs.Hope only meant--[MRS.GWYN looks eagerly at LEVER.]
DICK.[Quietly.]Let's go on the river,Joy.
[JOY rises,and goes to her Mother's chair.]
MRS.HOPE.Of course!What rubbish,Tom!As if any one ever invested money without ****** sure!
LEVER.[Ironically.]It seems a little difficult to make sure in this case.There isn't the smallest necessity for Colonel Hope to take any shares,and it looks to me as if he'd better not.
[He lights a cigarette.]
MRS.HOPE.Now,Mr.Lever,don't be offended!I'm very anxious for Tom to take the shares if you say the thing's so good.
LEVER.I 'm afraid I must ask to be left out,please.
JOY.[Whispering.]Mother,if you've finished,do come,I want to show you my room.
MRS.HOPE.I would n't say a word,only Tom's so easily taken in.
MRS.GWYN.[Fiercely.]Aunt Nell,how can't you?[Joy gives a little savage laugh.]
LETTY.[Hastily.]Ernie,will you play **** and me?Come on,****!
[All three go out towards the lawn.]
MRS.HOPE.You ought to know your Uncle by this time,Molly.He's just like a child.He'd be a pauper to-morrow if I did n't see to things.
COLONEL.Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine.I 'm--I 'm humiliated.[He turns and goes towards the house.]
MRS.HOPE.Well,what on earth have I said?
[She hurries after him.]
MRS.GWYN.[In a low voice as she passes.]You need n't insult my friends!
[LEVER,shrugging his shoulders,has strolled aside.JOY,with a passionate movement seen only by Miss BEECH,goes off towards the house.MISS BEECH and MRS.GWYN aye left alone beside the remnants of the feast.]
MISS BEECH.Molly!
[MRS.GWYN looks up startled.]
Take care,Molly,take care!The child!Can't you see?
[Apostrophising LEVER.]Take care,Molly,take care!
LEVER.[Coming back.]Awfully hot,is n't it?
MISS BEECH.Ah!and it'll be hotter if we don't mind.
LEVER.[Suavely.]Do we control these things?
[MISS BEECH looking from face to face,nods her head repeatedly;then gathering her skirts she walks towards the house.MRS.
GWYN sits motionless,staying before her.]
Extraordinary old lady![He pitches away his cigarette.]What's the matter with her,Molly?
MRS.GWYN,[With an effort.]Oh!Peachey's a character!
LEVER.[Frowning.]So I see![There is a silence.]
MRS.GWYN.Maurice!
LEVER.Yes.
MRS.GWYN.Aunt Nell's hopeless,you mustn't mind her.
LEVER.[In a dubious and ironic voice.]My dear girl,I 've too much to bother me to mind trifles like that.
MRS.GWYN.[Going to him suddenly.]Tell me,won't you?
[LEVER shrugs his shoulders.]
A month ago you'd have told me soon enough!
LEVER.Now,Molly!
MRS.GWYN.Ah![With a bitter smile.]The Spring's soon over.
LEVER.It 's always Spring between us.
MRS.GWYN.Is it?
LEVER.You did n't tell me what you were thinking about just now when you sat there like stone.
MRS.GWYN.It does n't do for a woman to say too much.
LEVER.Have I been so bad to you that you need feel like that,Molly?
MRS.GWYN.[With a little warm squeeze of his arm.]Oh!my dear,it's only that I'm so--[She stops.]
LEVER.[Gently].So what?
MRS.GWYN.[In a low voice.]It's hateful here.
LEVER.I didn't want to come.I don't understand why you suggested it.[MRS.GWYN is silent.]It's been a mistake.
MRS.GWYN.[Her eyes fixed on the ground.]Joy comes home to-morrow.I thought if I brought you here--I should know--LEVER.[Vexedly.]Um!
MRS.GWYN.[Losing her control.]Can't you SEE?It haunts me?How are we to go on?I must know--I must know!
LEVER.I don't see that my coming--
MRS.GWYN.I thought I should have more confidence;I thought Ishould be able to face it better in London,if you came down here openly--and now--I feel I must n't speak or look at you.
LEVER.You don't think your Aunt--
MRS.GWYN.[Scornfully.]She!It's only Joy I care about.
LEVER.[Frowning.]We must be more careful,that's all.We mustn't give ourselves away again,as we were doing just now.
MRS.GWYN.When any one says anything horrid to you,I can't help it.
[She puts her hand on the label of his coat.]
LEVER.My dear child,take care!
[MRS.GWYN drops her hand.She throws her head back,and her throat is seen to work as though she were gulping down a bitter draught.She moves away.]
[Following hastily.]Don't dear,don't!I only meant--Come,Molly,let's be sensible.I want to tell you something about the mine.
MRS.GWYN.[With a quavering smile.]Yes-let 's talk sensibly,and walk properly in this sensible,proper place.
[LEVER is seen trying to soothe her,and yet to walk properly.
As they disappear,they are viewed by JOY,who,like the shadow parted from its figure,has come to join it again.She stands now,foiled,a carnation in her hand;then flings herself on a chair,and leans her elbows on the table.]
JOY.I hate him!Pig!
ROSE.[Who has come to clear the tea things.]Did you call,Miss?
JOY.Not you!
ROSE.[Motionless.]No,Miss!
JOY.[Leaning back and tearing the flower.]Oh!do hurry up,Rose!
ROSE.[Collects the tea things.]Mr.****'s coming down the path!
Aren't I going to get you to do your frock,Miss Joy?
JOY.No.
ROSE.What will the Missis say?
JOY.Oh,don't be so stuck,Rose!
[ROSE goes,but DICK has come.]
DICK.Come on the river,Joy,just for half an hour,as far as the kingfishers--do![Joy shakes her head.]Why not?It 'll be so jolly and cool.I'm most awfully sorry if I worried you this morning.I didn't mean to.I won't again,I promise.[Joy slides a look at him,and from that look he gains a little courage.]Do come!
It'll be the last time.I feel it awfully,Joy.
JOY.There's nothing to hurt you!
DICK.[Gloomily.]Isn't there-when you're like this ?
JOY.[In a hard voice.]If you don't like me,why do you follow me about?
DICK.What is the matter?
JOY.[Looking up,as if for want of air.]Oh!Don't!
DICK.Oh,Joy,what is the matter?Is it the heat?
JOY.[With a little laugh.]Yes.