Mrs. Warren. Mrs. Lawer? Oh, do have her come right in, Clara.
(Clara goes out. Mrs. Lawer enters.)
Mrs. Lawer. Good afternoon, Mrs. Warren, good afternoon. (Breathlessly) How ill, how worried you are looking, Mrs. Warren. Oh, I am so sorry for you ... so very sorry. (She sits down.) I have just seen Mrs. Romney, who had just seen Mrs. Lawty, and had the dreadful news from her. I am so sorry, Mrs. Warren.
Mrs. Warren. But what——
Mrs. Lawer. But, of course, we who have known you for all these years will be as silent as the tomb ... you can depend upon us, lean upon us, call upon us. We shall comfort you and be your support in this hour of greatest need.
Mrs. Warren. Why ... why, what do you mean?
Mrs. Lawer. You really mean to say you do not know about Betty and Doctor Hunter? Oh, dear!
Mrs. Warren. But Betty did nothing so very, very improper.
Mrs. Lawer. Improper! Well, of course, we shall not blame poor Betty, she is still very young, but we do blame that wicked Doctor Hunter. Why, he is a married man, my dear ... and oldish. He should have known better.
Mrs. Warren. But Betty only walked with him.