DAN: "'What on earth for?' … 'I did not like to be too fine,' answered Lady Isabel, with a laugh—" (turning over) "—and a blush. 'They glittered so! I feared it might be thought I had put them on to look fine.'"
MRS. BRAMSON (absently): Good, isn't it?
DAN (flicking ash): Oh, yes, reelistic…. (Reading) "'I see you mean to set up among that class of people who pree-tend to dee-spise ornyment,' scornfully ree-marked Mrs. Vane. 'It is the ree-finement of aff-affectation, Lady Isabel——'"
An excited knock at the kitchen door. DORA enters. DAN turns back the page and surveys what he has been reading, scratching his head.
MRS. BRAMSON (the old edge to her voice): What is it?
DORA: Them men's in the wood again.
MRS. BRAMSON: What men?
DORA: The men lookin' for that Mrs. Chalfont.
A pause. DAN hums "Dames" under his breath.
MRS. BRAMSON: You don't mean to tell me they're still at it? But they've been pottering about since … when was that day Mr. Dan left the Tallboys?