She goes through the doorway into the hall.  Mrs builder, following towards the door, meets Ralph builder, a man rather older than builder and of opposite build and manner.  He has a pleasant, whimsical face and grizzled hair.

Mrs builder.  John wants to consult you, Ralph.

Ralph.  That’s very gratifying.

     She passes him and goes out, leaving the two brothers eyeing one
     another.

About the Welsh contract?

Builder.  No.  Fact is, Ralph, something very horrible’s happened.

Ralph.  Athene gone and got married?

Builder.  No.  It’s—­it’s that she’s gone and—­and not got married.

     Ralph utters a sympathetic whistle.

Jolly, isn’t it?

Ralph.  To whom?

Builder.  A young flying bounder.

Ralph.  And why?

Builder.  Some crazy rubbish about family life, of all things.

Ralph.  Athene’s a most interesting girl.  All these young people are so queer and delightful.

Builder.  By George, Ralph, you may thank your stars you haven’t got a delightful daughter.  Yours are good, decent girls.

Ralph.  Athene’s tremendously good and decent, John.  I’d bet any money she’s doing this on the highest principles.

Builder.  Behaving like a—­

Ralph.  Don’t say what you’ll regret, old man!  Athene always took things seriously—­bless her!

Builder.  Julia thinks you might help.  You never seem to have any domestic troubles.

Ralph.  No—­o.  I don’t think we do.

Builder.  How d’you account for it?

Ralph.  I must ask at home.

Builder.  Dash it!  You must know!

Ralph.  We’re all fond of each other.

Builder.  Well, I’m fond of my girls too; I suppose I’m not amiable enough.  H’m?

Ralph.  Well, old man, you do get blood to the head.  But what’s Athene’s point, exactly?

Builder.  Family life isn’t idyllic, so she thinks she and the young man oughtn’t to have one.

Ralph.  I see.  Home experience?

Builder.  Hang it all, a family’s a family!  There must be a head.

Ralph.  But no tail, old chap.

Builder.  You don’t let your women folk do just as they like?

Ralph.  Always.

Builder.  What happens if one of your girls wants to do an improper thing? [Ralph shrugs his shoulders].  You don’t stop her?

Ralph.  Do you?

Builder.  I try to.

Ralph.  Exactly.  And she does it.  I don’t and she doesn’t.

Builder. [With a short laugh] Good Lord!  I suppose you’d have me eat humble pie and tell Athene she can go on living in sin and offending society, and have my blessing to round it off.