Mrs. Beech. [Sitting beside the colonel.] Poor creature!

Ernest. [Carrying his chair about with him.] Ask any Johnny in the City, he ’ll tell you Mexico’s a very tricky country—­the people are awful rotters

Mrs. Hope.  Put that chair down, Ernest.

     [Ernest looks at the chair, puts it down, opens his mouth, and
     goes away.  Rose follows him.]

What’s he been talking about?  You oughtn’t to get so excited, Tom; is your head bad, old man?  Here, take these papers! [She hands the papers to the colonel.] Peachey, go in and tell them tea ’ll be ready in a minute, there ’s a good soul?  Oh! and on my dressing table you’ll find a bottle of Eau de Cologne.

Mrs. Beech.  Don’t let him get in a temper again.  That ’s three times to-day!

     [She goes towards the house. ]

Colonel.  Never met such a fellow in my life, the most opinionated, narrow-minded—­thinks he knows everything.  Whatever Letty could see in him I can’t think.  Pragmatical beggar!

Mrs. Hope.  Now Tom!  What have you been up to, to get into a state like this?

Colonel. [Avoiding her eyes.] I shall lose my temper with him one of these days.  He’s got that confounded habit of thinking nobody can be right but himself.

Mrs. Hope.  That’s enough!  I want to talk to you seriously!  Dick’s in love.  I’m perfectly certain of it.

Colonel.  Love!  Who’s he in love with—­Peachey?

Mrs. Hope.  You can see it all over him.  If I saw any signs of Joy’s breaking out, I’d send them both away.  I simply won’t have it.

Colonel.  Why, she’s a child!

Mrs. Hope. [Pursuing her own thoughts.] But she isn’t—­not yet.  I’ve been watching her very carefully.  She’s more in love with her Mother than any one, follows her about like a dog!  She’s been quite rude to Mr. Lever.

Colonel. [Pursuing his own thoughts.] I don’t believe a word of it.

     [He rises and walks about]

Mrs. Hope.  Don’t believe a word of what?

     [The colonel is Silent.]

     [Pursuing his thoughts with her own.]

If I thought there was anything between Molly and Mr. Lever, d ’you suppose I’d have him in the house?

     [The colonel stops, and gives a sort of grunt.]

He’s a very nice fellow; and I want you to pump him well, Tom, and see what there is in this mine.

Colonel. [Uneasily.] Pump!

Mrs. Hope. [Looking at him curiously.] Yes, you ’ve been up to something!  Now what is it?

Colonel.  Pump my own guest!  I never heard of such a thing!

Mrs. Hope.  There you are on your high horse!  I do wish you had a little common-sense, Tom!