Er....

Penelope.

Yes?

Dickie.

Nothing.

[Suddenly, with a sob, Mrs. Fergusson sinks into a chair, and hiding her face bursts into tears. Penelope gives her a look of surprise and goes swiftly up to her. She leans over her, with her hand on Mrs. Fergusson’s shoulder.

Penelope.

[Almost tenderly.] What? Real tears?

Mrs. Fergusson.

[In a broken voice.] I feel so ridiculous.