Have you been—where you said you were going?

John.

Yes.

[Sylvia opens her mouth to speak, but stops; she gives John a long, searching look; she realises that what she had hoped for has not taken place, and with a little gasp of misery turns away her head and sinks, dejected and exhausted, into a chair. John has held her look with his and now turns to his mother.

John.

Is father asleep?

Mrs. Wharton.

[With a little shiver.] John!

John.