I dare say Mr. Brown won’t think of all that. Anyhow, I hope he won’t. I hope he’ll propose to Hester and she’ll accept him and then when they’ve a whole herd of little Browns you can select one of them and make a De Mullin of him, poor little wretch.
[At this moment Hester enters from the garden. An uncomfortable silence falls.
MRS. DE MULLIN
Hush, hush, Janet. Here is Hester. Is that you, Hester? Have you come from church?
HESTER
Yes, mother.
[She comes down, her face looking pale and drawn, and stands by her mother.
MRS. DE MULLIN
You’re very late, dear.