Part 8 (1/2)

_Matt._ [_Dubious._] H'm!

_Dolly._ Take a very high tone.

_Matt._ I'm not sure that taking a high tone is quite in my line.

_Dolly._ Then please try it. Dad, you do realize how very serious this is, don't you?

_Matt._ Yes, of course. Very well, I'll tackle Lucas. We'll see what a high tone will do with him. Heigho! Sad! Sad!! Sad!!!--Sad! Sad!!

Sad!!!

_Dolly._ Hus.h.!.+

LUCAS _and_ HARRY _enter._ LUCAS _looks round for_ RENIE. DOLLY _and_ MATT _talk in whispers as if settling a plan._ HARRY _goes up to the collecting-box, takes out his knife and begins to sc.r.a.pe off the label._

_Dolly._ [_In a very severe tone to_ LUCAS, _who is peeping into conservatory._] Are you looking for anything?

_Lucas._ I was wondering whether there was any tea going.

_Dolly._ [_Same severe tone._] The tea is not in the conservatory.

_Lucas._ No, but I thought it might be getting on to the time----

_Dolly._ [_Same tone._] The tea will be served in due course.

_Lucas._ [_Surprised at her tone._] Is anything the matter?

[DOLLY _looks at him severely, says nothing, turns to_ MATT. LUCAS _looks puzzled, goes away, and again looks furtively into conservatory for_ RENIE.

_Harry._ [_Sc.r.a.ping away at the collecting-box._] Don't forget, Doll--our cosy half hour after tea----

[_Nodding at the writing-desk._

_Dolly._ I won't forget.

_Matt._ [_Has come up behind_ HARRY, _touches the arm he is sc.r.a.ping with._] Hospital for Incurables! I shouldn't sc.r.a.pe that off at present.

CURTAIN.

(_Four or five hours pa.s.s between Acts I and II._)

ACT II.

SCENE: _The same, on the same evening, after dinner. The sofa is now brought down below the fireplace, and fronts the audience a little diagonally, its right end being farthest up stage. The small table with the hospital box, and the easy chair are above the sofa, a little to the right of it._

_Enter_ RENIE, _much distressed and agitated._ DOLLY _follows quickly, closes the door cautiously and mysteriously._

_Renie._ But I don't understand. Captain Wentworth and I have been so little together----