LEVER. I 'm afraid I must ask to be left out, please.
JOY. [Whispering.] Mother, if you've finished, do come, I want to show you my room.
MRS. HOPE. I would n't say a word, only Tom's so easily taken in.
MRS. GWYN. [Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can't you? [Joy gives a little savage laugh.]
LETTY. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me? Come on, Dick!
[All three go out towards the lawn.]
MRS. HOPE. You ought to know your Uncle by this time, Molly. He's just like a child. He'd be a pauper to-morrow if I did n't see to things.
COLONEL. Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine. I 'm—I 'm humiliated. [He turns and goes towards the house.]
MRS. HOPE. Well, what on earth have I said?
[She hurries after him. ]