BUILDER’s voice:  “Julia!”

Have you ever tried, mother?

     Mrs builder looks at the young man, who turns away out of hearing.

Mrs builder.  Athene, you’re mistaken.  I’ve always stood up to him in my own way.

Athene.  Oh! but, mother—­listen!

     The beating and rattling have recommenced, and the voice:  “Are you
     coming?”

[Passionately] And that’s family life!  Father was all right before he married, I expect.  And now it’s like this.  How you survive—!

Mrs builder.  He’s only in a passion, my dear.

Athene.  It’s wicked.

Mrs builder.  It doesn’t work otherwise, Athene.

     A single loud bang on the door.

Athene.  If he beats on that door again, I shall scream.

     Mrs builder smiles, shakes her head, and turns to the door.

Mrs builder.  Now, my dear, you’re going to be sensible, to please me. 
It’s really best.  If I say so, it must be.  It’s all comedy, Athene.

Athene.  Tragedy!

Guy. [Turning to them] Look here!  Shall I shift him?

     Mrs builder shakes her head and opens the door.  Builder stands
     there, a furious figure.

Builder.  Will you come, and leave that baggage and her cad?

Mrs builder steps quickly out and the door is closed.  Guy makes an angry movement towards it.

Athene.  Guy!

Guy. [Turning to her] That puts the top hat on.  So persuasive! [He takes out of his pocket a wedding ring, and a marriage licence] Well!  What’s to be done with these pretty things, now?

Athene.  Burn them!

Guy. [Slowly] Not quite.  You can’t imagine I should ever be like that,
Athene?

Athene.  Marriage does wonders.

Guy.  Thanks.

Athene.  Oh!  Guy, don’t be horrid.  I feel awfully bad.

Guy.  Well, what do you think I feel?  “Cad!”

     They turn to see Annie in hat and coat, with a suit-case in her
     hand, coming from the door Left.

Annie.  Oh! ma’am, please, Miss, I want to go home.

Guy. [Exasperated!] She wants to go home—­she wants to go home!

Athene.  Guy!  All right, Annie.

Annie.  Oh! thank you, Miss. [She moves across in front of them].

Athene. [Suddenly] Annie!

     Annie stops and turns to her.

What are you afraid of?

Annie. [With comparative boldness] I—­I might catch it, Miss.

Athene.  From your people?

Annie.  Oh! no, Miss; from you.  You see, I’ve got a young man that wants to marry me.  And if I don’t let him, I might get into trouble meself.