(And there is so much conviction behind it that ROYCE has nothing to say. However, nothing is needed, for at this moment SEPTIMA BLAYDS-CONWAY comes in, a fair-haired nineteen-year-old modern, with no sentimental nonsense about her.)
SEPTIMA. Hallo!
OLIVER (half getting out of his chair). Hallo, Tim. Come and be introduced. This is Mr. A. L. Royce. My sister, Septima.
ROYCE (surprised). Septima? (Mechanically he quotes):
“Septima, seventh dark daughter;
I saw her once where the black pines troop to the water—
A rock-set river that broke into bottomless pools—”
SEPTIMA. Thank you very much, Mr. Royce. (Holding out her hand to OLIVER) Noll, I’ll trouble you.
OLIVER (feeling in his pockets). Damn! I did think, Royce—— (He hands her a shilling) Here you are.
SEPTIMA. Thanks. Thank you again, Mr. Royce.