MRS. TIMBRELL. Good-bye?
SHEILA. Where are you going? [TIMBRELL enters.]
TIMBRELL. Ah! Mary. [They shake hands.] Glad to see you. You’ve had a trying time. Where’s Leonard? Home yet?
MARY. He’s coming.
TIMBRELL. Yes. Well, Sheila, how are you? Yes. I wanted to have a word with you, Mary. I’ve heard from Leonard. I’ve had quite a long letter from him. And a very proper letter in the circumstances. Of course he did very wrong. He acknowledges that. Undoubtedly he ought to have been there. He does make certain explanations and apologies. He expresses himself to me in a suitable manner. Now, Mary, I have been talking to Mrs. Timbrell and we wish you to understand that we are pleased with you. We think that as far as you can—according to your lights—you have made him a good wife. You’ve had rather a hard time. Well, I thought it right that there should be what I may call an ordeal—a period of ordeal. I hope we may consider that over and that things may be made a little easier for you. I think after the letter I have received from Leonard that I may say—I think I may say—
MARY. He’s very good at writing letters.
TIMBRELL. Yes, yes.
MARY. When little Leonard died he wrote me a beautiful letter.
MRS. TIMBRELL. A beautiful letter!