Ernest. Awful rotters, those Portuguese!

Colonel.  There you go!

Letty.  Well, Father, Ernie only said what you said.

Mrs. Hope.  Now I want to ask you, Mr. Lever, is this gold mine safe?  If it isn’t—­I simply won’t allow Tom to take these shares; he can’t afford it.

Lever.  It rather depends on what you call safe, Mrs. Hope.

Mrs. Hope.  I don’t want anything extravagant, of course; if they’re going to pay their 10 per cent, regularly, and Tom can have his money out at any time—­[There is a faint whistle from the swing.] I only want to know that it’s a thoroughly genuine thing.

Mrs. Gwyn. [Indignantly.] As if Maurice would be a Director if it was n’t?

Mrs. Hope.  Now Molly, I’m simply asking——­

Mrs. Gwyn.  Yes, you are!

Colonel. [Rising.] I’ll take two thousand of those shares, Lever. 
To have my wife talk like that—­I ’m quite ashamed.

Lever.  Oh, come, sir, Mrs. Hope only meant——­

     [Mrs. Gwyn looks eagerly at Lever.]

Dick. [Quietly.] Let’s go on the river, Joy.

     [Joy rises, and goes to her Mother’s chair.]

Mrs. Hope.  Of course!  What rubbish, Tom!  As if any one ever invested money without making sure!

Lever. [Ironically.] It seems a little difficult to make sure in this case.  There isn’t the smallest necessity for Colonel Hope to take any shares, and it looks to me as if he’d better not.

     [He lights a cigarette.]

Mrs. Hope.  Now, Mr. Lever, don’t be offended!  I’m very anxious for Tom to take the shares if you say the thing’s so good.

Lever.  I ’m afraid I must ask to be left out, please.

Joy. [Whispering.] Mother, if you’ve finished, do come, I want to show you my room.

Mrs. Hope.  I would n’t say a word, only Tom’s so easily taken in.

Mrs. Gwyn. [Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can’t you? [Joy gives a little savage laugh.]

Letty. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me?  Come on, Dick!

     [All three go out towards the lawn.]

Mrs. Hope.  You ought to know your Uncle by this time, Molly.  He’s just like a child.  He’d be a pauper to-morrow if I did n’t see to things.

Colonel.  Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine.  I ’m—­I ’m humiliated. [He turns and goes towards the house.]

Mrs. Hope.  Well, what on earth have I said?

     [She hurries after him. ]

Mrs. Gwyn. [In a low voice as she passes.] You need n’t insult my friends!

[Lever, shrugging his shoulders, has strolled aside.  Joy, with a passionate movement seen only by Miss beech, goes off towards the house.  Miss beech and Mrs. Gwyn aye left alone beside the remnants of the feast.]

Miss beech.  Molly!