Trimmins. [Smiling.] Very well, to please you! But Susan Woodruff, she's the limit. [Doubles up his arm and feels his muscles meaningly, and exits. Marion enters tragically. White, frightened, she staggers quickly into the room and, stopping for a second, gasps in a horrified whisper.
Marion. Mother! [Crosses to arch.] Mother!! [Music, "Won't You Come And Play With Me." Singing heard. Marion turns, frightened, goes down. Her mother comes to her. They meet.
Mrs. Wolton. [Frightened, puzzled.] What is it? What's the matter?
Marion. [For a moment, can't speak. She opens her lips, but the words refuse to come. Then she manages to gasp out:] Father!
Mrs. Wolton. Your father—what? [Starts and looks at her questioningly, frightened, as the music swells, and is joined in by the voices of the dancers.
Marion. He is dead!
Mrs. Wolton. Dead!! [She makes a movement towards door. Marion stops her.
Marion. It's too horrible!—he has killed himself— [Adds the latter in lower tone, almost fainting. The dancers appear in the ball-room, hand in hand in single file, led by Fanshaw, and dance wildly in—all singing "Won't You Come And Play With Me." They make a big circle about Marion and Mrs. Wolton, dancing out through the ball-room, the music and singing becoming fainter as they disappear. The two women are left alone. Re-enter Douglas from ball-room.
Douglas. May I go up? [He sees the condition of Mrs. Wolton and the expression of Marion.] Is your mother ill?
Marion. Help me take her to—my room—I will tell you. [Dancers cross as they exit. Music changes to waltz. All go out. Mrs. Lorrimer, on end, drops their hands. Mrs. Wolton and Marion shudder as they go out.