Mr and Mrs builder enter.

Builder.  Mr and Mrs Builder.  My daughter in?

Annie. [Confounded] Oh!  Sir, no, sir.

Builder.  My good girl, not “Oh!  Sir, no, sir.”  Simply:  No, Sir.  See?

Annie.  Oh!  Sir, yes, Sir.

Builder.  Where is she?

Annie.  Oh!  Sir, I don’t know, Sir.

Builder. [Fixing her as though he suspected her of banter] Will she be back soon?

Annie.  No, Sir.

Builder.  How do you know?

Annie.  I d—­don’t, sir.

Builder.  They why do you say so? [About to mutter “She’s an idiot!” he looks at her blushing face and panting figure, pats her on the shoulder and says] Never mind; don’t be nervous.

Annie.  Oh! yes, sir.  Is that all, please, sir?

Mrs builder. [With a side look at her husband and a faint smile] Yes; you can go.

Annie.  Thank you, ma’am.

     She turns and hurries out into the kitchen, Left.  Builder gazes
     after her, and Mrs builder gazes at builder with her faint smile.

Builder. [After the girl is gone] Quaint and Dutch—­pretty little figure! [Staring round] H’m!  Extraordinary girls are!  Fancy Athene preferring this to home.  What?

Mrs builder.  I didn’t say anything.

Builder. [Placing a chair for his wife, and sitting down himself] Well, we must wait, I suppose.  Confound that Nixon legacy!  If Athene hadn’t had that potty little legacy left her, she couldn’t have done this.  Well, I daresay it’s all spent by now.  I made a mistake to lose my temper with her.

Mrs builder.  Isn’t it always a mistake to lose one’s temper?

Builder.  That’s very nice and placid; sort of thing you women who live sheltered lives can say.  I often wonder if you women realise the strain on a business man.

Mrs builder. [In her softly ironical voice] It seems a shame to add the strain of family life.

Builder.  You’ve always been so passive.  When I want a thing, I’ve got to have it.

Mrs builder.  I’ve noticed that.

Builder. [With a short laugh] Odd if you hadn’t, in twenty-three years. [Touching a canvas standing against the chair with his toe] Art!  Just a pretext.  We shall be having Maud wanting to cut loose next.  She’s very restive.  Still, I oughtn’t to have had that scene with Athene.  I ought to have put quiet pressure.

     Mrs builder Smiles.

Builder.  What are you smiling at?

     Mrs builder shrugs her shoulders.

Look at this—­Cigarettes! [He examines the brand on the box] Strong, very—­and not good! [He opens the door] Kitchen! [He shuts it, crosses, and opens the door, Right] Bedroom!