Hillcrist. [Coming out of a sort of coma, after the excitement he has been going through] What!  What!

Jill.  Oh, Dodo!  How splendidly you stuck it!

Hillcrist. Phew!  What a squeak!  I was clean out of my depth.  A mercy the Duke chipped in again.

Mrs. H. [Looking at Rolf and Chloe, who are standing up as if about to go] Take care; they can hear you.  Find Dawker, Jack.

     [Below, the auctioneer and solicitor take up their papers, and
     move out Left.]

     [Hillcrist stretches himself, standing up, as if to throw off
     the strain.  The door behind is opened, and Hornblower
     appears.]

Hornblower.  Ye ran me up a pretty price.  Ye bid very pluckily, Hillcrist.  But ye didn’t quite get my measure.

Hillcrist. Oh!  It was my nine thousand the Duke capped.  Thank God, the Centry’s gone to a gentleman!

Hornblower.  The Duke? [He laughs] No, the Gentry’s not gone to a gentleman, nor to a fool.  It’s gone to me.

Hillcrist. What!

HOUNBLOWER.  I’m sorry for ye; ye’re not fit to manage these things.  Well, it’s a monstrous price, and I’ve had to pay it because of your obstinacy.  I shan’t forget that when I come to build.

Hillcrist. D’you mean to say that bid was for you?

Hornblower.  Of course I do.  I told ye I was a bad man to be up against.  Perhaps ye’ll believe me now.

Hillcrist. A dastardly trick!

Hornblower. [With venom] What did ye call it—­a skin game? 
Remember we’re playin’ a skin game, Hillcrist.

Hillcrist. [Clenching his fists] If we were younger men——­

Hornblower.  Ay!  ’Twouldn’t Look pretty for us to be at fisticuffs.  We’ll leave the fightin’ to the young ones. [He glances at Rolf and Jill; suddenly throwing out his finger at Rolf] No makin’ up to that young woman!  I’ve watched ye.  And as for you, missy, you leave my boy alone.

Jill. [With suppressed passion] Dodo, may I spit in his eye or something?

Hillcrist. Sit down.

     [Jill sits down.  He stands between her and Hornblower.]

     [Yu’ve won this round, sir, by a foul blow.  We shall see
     whether you can take any advantage of it.  I believe the law
     can stop you ruining my property.]

Hornblower.  Make your mind easy; it can’t.  I’ve got ye in a noose, and I’m goin’ to hang ye.

Mrs. H. [Suddenly] Mr. Hornblower, as you fight foul—­so shall we.

Hillcrist. Amy!

Mrs. H. [Paying no attention] And it will not be foul play towards you and yours.  You are outside the pale.

Hornblower.  That’s just where I am, outside your pale all round ye.  Ye’re not long for Deepwater, ma’am.  Make your dispositions to go; ye’ll be out in six months, I prophesy.  And good riddance to the neighbourhood. [They are all down on the level now.]