[Miss Deanes is a bulky, red-faced, shortsighted woman of forty-two, very fussy and absurd in manner, who talks very fast. Brown carries a book.

MISS DEANES

How do you do, Mrs. Clouston. Such a piece of news! I felt I must tell you. I brought Mr. Brown with me. He was just leaving a book for you, Hester, so I made him come in.

[Shakes hands with Hester.

BROWN

Here it is, Miss De Mullin. It’s the one you wanted to borrow. Blore on the Creeds.

HESTER

Thank you.

MISS DEANES

(seeing Janet for first time)