Mrs. Akers: Innocence is such a safeguard.
Mrs. Ballantyne: What I shall tell her about this meeting, I really don’t know. Unfortunately, she knew where I was coming, and I shall have to invent something to tell her in case she asks any questions about it, as she’s certain to do. Luckily, I think she trusts me absolutely.
Mrs. Akers: Come home to tea with me, dear Mrs. Ballantyne. It will help to take both our minds off the whole sad subject.
Mrs. Ballantyne: How very kind of you! I should love to. We must try and forget all about it for the time being.
Mrs. Akers: I can’t help wondering how Fanny could have managed to deceive her mother for so long.
Mrs. Ballantyne: I must say, I should have thought any woman with eyes in her head——
Mrs. Akers: Yes, and besides, why didn’t the girl, if she was a respectable girl, go straight to her mother when——
(Mrs. Akers and Mrs. Ballantyne, lean across the table, talking busily about Fanny’s behaviour, both at once. Meanwhile Mrs. Lloyd-Evans, who has now got her furs on, stands as though listening to some sound outside the door, unnoticed by the other two. She tiptoes rapidly to the door and flings it open. Miss Miller is crouching outside, having evidently been listening. One side of her face is scarlet where it has been pressed to the door, the other white. She rises awkwardly as the door opens, but not before they have all seen her.)
Mrs. Lloyd-Evans: I thought so!
Miss Miller (wildly): What did you think, Mrs. Lloyd-Evans? That I’ve been listening at the door? So I have! That I’ve overheard all your charitable plans for Fanny Smith and her illegitimate child? So I have!