Chloe. [Suddenly coming closer to Mrs. Hillcrist] Here are your salts, thank you.  Father, can’t you——?

Hornblower. [Surprised] Can’t I what?

Chloe.  Can’t you come to an arrangement?

Mrs. H. Just so, Mr. Hornblower.  Can’t you?

Hornblower. [Looking from one to the other] As we’re speakin’ out, ma’am, it’s your behaviour to my daughter-in-law—­who’s as good as you—­and better, to my thinking—­that’s more than half the reason why I’ve bought this property.  Ye’ve fair got my dander up.  Now it’s no use to bandy words.  It’s very forgivin’ of ye, Chloe, but come along!

Mrs. H. Quite seriously, Mr. Hornblower, you had better come to an arrangement.

Hornblower.  Mrs. Hillcrist, ladies should keep to their own business.

Mrs. H. I will.

Hillcrist. Amy, do leave it to us men.  You young man [He speaks to
Rolf] do you support your father’s trick this afternoon?

     [Jill looks round at Rolf, who tries to speak, when Hornblower
     breaks in.]

Hornblower.  My trick?  And what dye call it, to try and put me own son against me?

Jill. [To Rolf] Well?

Rolf.  I don’t, but——­

Hornblower.  Trick?  Ye young cub, be quiet.  Mr. Hillcrist had an agent bid for him—­I had an agent bid for me.  Only his agent bid at the beginnin’, an’ mine bid at the end.  What’s the trick in that?

[He laughs.]

Hillcrist. Hopeless; we’re in different worlds.

Hornblower.  I wish to God we were!  Come you, Chloe.  And you, Rolf, you follow.  In six months I’ll have those chimneys up, and me lorries runnin’ round ye.

Mrs. H. Mr. Hornblower, if you build——­

Hornblower. [Looking at Mrs. Hillcrist] Ye know—­it’s laughable.  Ye make me pay nine thousand five hundred for a bit o’ land not worth four, and ye think I’m not to get back on ye.  I’m goin’ on with as little consideration as if ye were a family of blackbeetles.  Good afternoon!

Rolf.  Father!

Jill.  Oh, Dodo!  He’s obscene.

Hillcrist. Mr. Hornblower, my compliments.

[Hornblower with a stare at Hillcrist’s half-smiling face, takes Chloe’s arm, and half drags her towards the door on the Left.  But there, in the opened doorway, are standing Dawker and a stranger.  They move just out of the way of the exit, looking at Chloe, who sways and very nearly falls.]

Hornblower.  Why!  Chloe!  What’s the matter?

Chloe.  I don’t know; I’m not well to-day.

     [She pulls herself together with a great, effort.]

Mrs. H. [Who has exchanged a nod with Dawker and the stranger] Mr.
Hornblower, you build at your peril.  I warn you.