[Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can't you? [Joy gives a
little savage laugh.]
LETTY. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me? Come on, Dick!
[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.
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