Hint.  The Centry!  Impossible!

[Mrs. J. Yes, air; it’s such a pretty spot-looks beautiful from here. [She looks out through the window] Loveliest spot in all Deepwater, I always say.  And your father owned it, and his father before ’im.  It’s a pity they ever sold it, sir, beggin’ your pardon.]

Hillcrist. The Centry! [He rings the bell.]

Mrs. J. [Who has brightened up] I’m glad you’re goin’ to stop it, sir.  It does put us about.  We don’t know where to go.  I said to Mr. Hornblower, I said, “I’m sure Mr. Hillcrist would never ’eve turned us out.”  An’ ‘e said:  “Mr. Hillcrist be——­” beggin’ your pardon, sir.  “Make no mistake,” ’e said, “you must go, missis.”  He don’t even know our name; an’ to come it like this over us!  He’s a dreadful new man, I think, with his overridin notions.  And sich a heavyfooted man, to look at. [With a sort of indulgent contempt] But he’s from the North, they say.

     [Fellows has entered, Left.]

Hillcrist. Ask Mrs. Hillcrist if she’ll come.

Fellows.  Very good, sir.

Hillcrist. Is Dawker here?

Fellows.  Not yet, sir.

Hillcrist. I want to see him at once.

     [Fellows retires.]

Jackman.  Mr. Hornblower said he was comin’ on to see you, sir.  So we thought we’d step along first.

Hillcrist. Quite right, Jackman.

Mrs. J. I said to Jackman:  “Mr. Hillcrist’ll stand up for us, I know.  He’s a gentleman,” I said.  “This man,” I said, “don’t care for the neighbourhood, or the people; he don’t care for anything so long as he makes his money, and has his importance.  You can’t expect it, I suppose,” I said; [Bitterly] “havin’ got rich so sudden.”  The gentry don’t do things like that.

Hillcrist. [Abstracted] Quite, Mrs. Jackman, quite!
[To himself] The Centry!  No!

     [Mrs. Hillcrist enters.  A well-dressed woman, with a firm,
     clear-cut face.]

Oh!  Amy!  Mr. and Mrs. Jackman turned out of their cottage, and Mrs. Harvey, and the Drews.  When I sold to Hornblower, I stipulated that they shouldn’t be.

Mrs. J. Our week’s up on Saturday, ma’am, and I’m sure I don’t know where we shall turn, because of course Jackman must be near his work, and I shall lose me washin’ if we have to go far.

Hillcrist. [With decision] You leave it to me, Mrs. Jackman.  Good morning!  Morning, Jackman!  Sorry I can’t move with this gout.

Mrs. J. [For them both] I’m sure we’re very sorry, sir.  Good morning, sir.  Good morning, ma’am; and thank you kindly. [They go out.]

Hillcrist. Turning people out that have been there thirty years.  I won’t have it.  It’s a breach of faith.

Mrs. H. Do you suppose this Hornblower will care two straws about that Jack?