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.

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!