Hornblower. [Turning round to speak] Ye think yourself very cool and very smart.  But I doubt this is the first time ye’ve been up against realities.  Now, I’ve been up against them all my life.  Don’t talk to me, ma’am, about peril and that sort of nonsense; it makes no impression.  Your husband called me pachydermatous.  I don’t know Greek, and Latin, and all that, but I’ve looked it out in the dictionary, and I find it means thick-skinned.  And I’m none the worse for that when I have to deal with folk like you.  Good afternoon.

     [He draws Chloe forward, and they pass through the door,
     followed quickly by Rolf.]

Mrs. H. Thank you; Dawker.

     [She moves up to Dawker and the stranger, Left, and they
     talk.]

Jill.  Dodo!  It’s awful!

Hillcrist. Well, there’s nothing for it now but to smile and pay up.  Poor old home!  It shall be his wash-pot.  Over the Centry will he cast his shoe.  By Gad, Jill, I could cry!

Jill. [Pointing] Look!  Chloe’s sitting down.  She nearly fainted just now.  It’s something to do with Dawker, Dodo, and that man with him.  Look at mother!  Ask them!

Hillcrist. Dawker!

     [Dawker comes to him, followed by Mrs. Hillcrist.]

What’s the mystery about young Mrs. Hornblower?

Dawker.  No mystery.

Hillcrist. Well, what is it?

Mrs. H. You’d better not ask.

Hillcrist. I wish to know.

Mrs. H. Jill, go out and wait for us.

Jill.  Nonsense, mother!

Mrs. H. It’s not for a girl to hear.

Jill.  Bosh!  I read the papers every day.

Dawker.  It’s nothin’ worse than you get there, anyway.

Mrs. H. Do you wish your daughter——­

Jill.  It’s ridiculous, Dodo; you’d think I was mother at my age.

Mrs. H. I was not so proud of my knowledge.

Jill.  No, but you had it, dear.

Hillcrist. What is it——­what is it?  Come over here, Dawker.

     [Dawker goes to him, Right, and speaks in a low voice.]

What! [Again Dawker speaks in, a low voice.]

Good God!

Mrs. H. Exactly!

Jill.  Poor thing—­whatever it is!

Mrs. H. Poor thing?

Jill.  What went before, mother?

Mrs. H. It’s what’s coming after that matters; luckily.

Hillcrist. How do you know this?

Dawker.  My friend here [He points to the stranger] was one of the agents.

Hillcrist. It’s shocking.  I’m sorry I heard it.

Mrs. H. I told you not to.