]
LEVER. Well, we mean to sell it.
MRS. GWYN. What about the people who buy?
LEVER. [Dubiously regarding her.] My dear girl, they've just as
much chance as we had. It 's not my business to think of them.
There's YOUR thousand pounds----
MRS. GWYN. [Softly.] Don't bother about my money, Maurice. I don't
want you to do anything not quite----
LEVER. [Evasively.] Oh! There's my brother's and my sister's too.
I 'm not going to let any of you run any risk. When we all went in
for it the thing looked splendid; it 's only the last month that we
've had doubts. What bothers me now is your Uncle. I don't want him
to take these shares. It looks as if I'd come here on purpose.
MRS. GWYN. Oh! he mustn't take them!
LEVER. That 's all very well; but it 's not so simple.
MRS. GWYN. [Shyly.] But, Maurice, have you told him about the
selling?
LEVER. [Gloomily, under the hollow tree.] It 's a Board secret.
I'd no business to tell even you.
MRS. GWYN. But he thinks he's taking shares in a good--a permanent
thing.
LEVER. You can't go into a mining venture without some risk.
MRS. GWYN. Oh yes, I know--but--but Uncle Tom is such a dear!
LEVER. [Stubbornly.] I can't help his being the sort of man he is.
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