(He goes towards the table on which is the electrical apparatus.)
LADY MARY (standing on guard as it were between him and the table). What are you going to do?
CRICHTON. To fire the beacons.
LADY MARY. Stop! (She faces him.) Don’t you see what it means?
CRICHTON (firmly). It means that our life on the island has come to a natural end.
LADY MARY (husky). Gov., let the ship go—
CRICHTON. The old man—you saw what it means to him.
LADY MARY. But I am afraid.
CRICHTON (adoringly). Dear Polly.
LADY MARY. Gov., let the ship go.