She 'd manage the hind leg off a donkey;but if I want five shillings for a charity or what not,I have to whistle for it.And then all of a sudden,Molly,she'll take it into her head to spend goodness knows what on some trumpery or other and come to me for the money.If Ihave n't got it to give her,out she flies about 3per cent.and worries me to invest in some wild-cat or other,like your friend's thing,the Jaco what is it?I don't pay the slightest attention to her.
MRS.HOPE.[From the direction of the house.]Tom!
COLONEL.[Rising.]Yes,dear![Then dropping his voice.]I say,Molly,don't you mind what I said about young Lever.I don't want you to imagine that I think harm of people--you know I don't--but so many women come to grief,and--[hotly]--I can't stand men about town;not that he of course--
MRS.HOPE,[Peremptorily.]Tom!
COLONEL.[In hasty confidence.]I find it best to let your aunt run on.If she says anything--MRS.HOPE.To-om!
COLONEL.Yes,dear!
[He goes hastily.MRS.GWYN sits drawing circles on the ground with her charming parasol.Suddenly she springs to her feet,and stands waiting like an animal at bay.The COLONEL and MRS.
HOPE approach her talking.]
MRS.HOPE.Well,how was I to know?
COLONEL.Did n't Joy come and tell you?
MRS.HOPE.I don't know what's the matter with that child?Well,Molly,so here you are.You're before your time--that train's always late.
MRS.GWYN.[With faint irony.]I'm sorry,Aunt Nell!
[They bob,seem to take fright,and kiss each other gingerly.]
MRS.HOPE.What have you done with Mr.Lever?I shall have to put him in Peachey's room.Tom's got no champagne.
COLONEL.They've a very decent brand down at the George,Molly,I'll send Bob over--MRS.HOPE.Rubbish,Tom!He'll just have to put up with what he can get!
MRS.GWYN.Of course!He's not a snob!For goodness sake,Aunt Nell,don't put yourself out!I'm sorry I suggested his coming.
COLONEL.My dear,we ought to have champagne in the house--in case of accident.
MRS.GWYN.[Shaking him gently by the coat.]No,please,Uncle Tom!
MRS.HOPE.[Suddenly.]Now,I've told your uncle,Molly,that he's not to go in for this gold mine without ****** certain it's a good thing.Mind,I think you've been very rash.I'm going to give you a good talking to;and that's not all--you ought n't to go about like this with a young man;he's not at all bad looking.I remember him perfectly well at the Fleming's dance.
[On MRS.GWYN's lips there comes a little mocking smile.]
COLONEL.[Pulling his wife's sleeve.]Nell!
MRS.HOPE.No,Tom,I'm going to talk to Molly;she's old enough to know better.
MRS.GWYN.Yes?
MRS.HOPE.Yes,and you'll get yourself into a mess;I don't approve of it,and when I see a thing I don't approve of--COLONEL.[Walking about,and pulling his moustache.]Nell,I won't have it,I simply won't have it.
MRS.HOPE.What rate of interest are these Preference shares to pay?
MRS.GWYN.[Still smiling.]Ten per cent.
MRS.HOPE.What did I tell you,Tom?And are they safe?
MRS.GWYN.You'd better ask Maurice.
MRS.HOPE.There,you see,you call him Maurice!Now supposing your uncle went in for some of them--COLONEL.[Taking off his hat-in a high,hot voice]I'm not going in for anything of the sort.
MRS.HOPE.Don't swing your hat by the brim!Go and look if you can see him coming!
[The COLONEL goes.]
[In a lower voice.]Your uncle's getting very bald.I 've only shoulder of lamb for lunch,and a salad.It's lucky it's too hot to eat.
[MISS BEECH has appeared while she is speaking.]
Here she is,Peachey!
MISS BEECH.I see her.[She kisses MRS.GWYN,and looks at her intently.]
MRS.GWYN.[Shrugging her shoulders.]Well,Peachey!What d 'you make of me?
COLONEL.[Returning from his search.]There's a white hat crossing the second stile.Is that your friend,Molly?
[MRS.GWYN nods.]
MRS.HOPE.Oh!before I forget,Peachey--Letty and Ernest can move their things back again.I'm going to put Mr.Lever in your room.
[Catching sight o f the paint pot on the ground.]There's that disgusting paint pot!Take it up at once,Tom,and put it in the tree.
[The COLONEL picks up the pot and bears it to the hollow tree followed by MRS.HOPE;he enters.]
MRS.HOPE.[Speaking into the tree.]Not there!
COLONEL.[From within.]Well,where then?
MRS.HOPE.Why--up--oh!gracious!
[MRS.GWYN,standing alone,is smiling.LEVER approaches from the towing-path.He is a man like a fencer's wrist,supple and steely.A man whose age is difficult to tell,with a quick,good-looking face,and a line between his brows;his darkish hair is flecked with grey.He gives the feeling that he has always had to spurt to keep pace with his own life.]
MRS.HOPE.[Also entering the hollow tree.]No-oh!
COLONEL.[From the depths,in a high voice.]Well,dash it then!
What do you want?
MRS.GWYN.Peachey,may I introduce Mr.Lever to you?Miss Beech,my old governess.
[They shake each other by the hand.]
LEVER.How do you do?[His voice is pleasant,his manner easy.]
MISS BEECH.Pleased to meet you.
[Her manner is that of one who is not pleased.She watches.]
MRS.GWYN.[Pointing to the tree-maliciously.]This is my uncle and my aunt.They're taking exercise,I think.
[The COLONEL and MRS.HOPE emerge convulsively.They are very hot.LEVER and MRS.GWYN are very cool.]
MRS.HOPE.[Shaking hands with him.]So you 've got here!Are n't you very hot?--Tom!
COLONEL.Brought a splendid day with you!Splendid!
[As he speaks,Joy comes running with a bunch of roses;seeing LEVER,she stops and stands quite rigid.]
MISS BEECH.[Sitting in the swing.]Thunder!
COLONEL.Thunder?Nonsense,Peachey,you're always imagining something.Look at the sky!
MISS BEECH.Thunder!
[MRS.GWYN's smile has faded.]
MRS.HOPE.[Turning.]Joy,don't you see Mr.Lever?
[Joy,turning to her mother,gives her the roses.With a forced smile,LEVER advances,holding out his hand.]
LEVER.How are you,Joy?Have n't seen you for an age!
JOY.[Without expression.]I am very well,thank you.
[She raises her hand,and just touches his.MRS.GWYN'S eyes are fixed on her daughter.Miss BEECH is watching them intently.MRS.HOPE is buttoning the COLONEL'S coat.]
The curtain falls.