MARGARET. [_In despairing protest_] It’s half my life ago-- HILARY. It’s yesterday, it’s yesterday! MARGARET. [_With the fleeting courage of a half caught bird_] Yes, it _is_ yesterday. It’s how you took me--yesterday--and now you’re doing it again! HILARY. [_Catching at the hope of it_] Am I? Am I? Is it yesterday? yesterday come back again? MARGARET. [_In the toils_] No--no! Hilary, I can’t! HILARY. [_At white heat_] No, you can’t. You can’t leave me. You can’t do it to me. You can’t drive me out--the wilderness--alone--alone--alone. You can’t do it, Meg--you can’t do it--you can’t! MARGARET. [_Beaten_] I suppose--I can’t. HILARY. You--you’ll stay with me? [_Breaking down utterly_] Oh, God bless you, Meg, God bless you, God bless you-- _She resigns her hands to him while she sits, flattened against the back of her chair, quivering a little, like a crucified moth._ MARGARET. [_Puzzling it out_] You mean--God help me? CURTAIN. ACT III. _The scene is the same as in_ ACT 1. MISS FAIRFIELD _sits reading_. SYDNEY _is fidgeting about the room_. BASSETT _comes in and begins to lay the cloth_. KIT, _who enters unseen behind her, sees_ MISS FAIRFIELD _and makes hastily up the stair on tip-toe_. SYDNEY. [_Turning_] Oh, Bassett, isn’t it rather early for tea? Lunch was so late. BASSETT. [_Desisting_] Oh, very well, miss. MISS FAIRFIELD. Now, Sydney! Always trying to upset things! I’m more than ready for my tea. Bring it in at once, Bassett. BASSETT. Very well, ma’am! SYDNEY. Auntie, I know Mother won’t want to be disturbed. MISS FAIRFIELD. It’s high time she was. Talk! Talk! No consideration. She’ll tire Hilary out. [_She goes towards the drawing-room._] SYDNEY. [_Worried_] Auntie, I think-- MISS FAIRFIELD. Then you shouldn’t! [_She goes out._] BASSETT. Shall I bring in tea, Miss Sydney? SYDNEY. [_With a twinkle_] I think we’ll wait half an hour. BASSETT. [_With an answering twinkle_] Very well, miss. SYDNEY. Oh--Bassett--tell Mr. Kit that--er--that the coast’s clear. BASSETT. He didn’t stay out with us, miss. Him and the puppy together was a bit too much for cook, with the turkey on her hands. [_Looking round_] He’s here somewhere, miss. [_She goes out._] SYDNEY. [_Addressing space_] Kit, you idiot, come out! KIT. [_Appearing at the head of the stairs_] I spend half my life dodging your aunt. [_As he runs downstairs he rakes a bunch of mistletoe from the top of a picture._] She spoilt the whole effect this morning, but now-- [_He advances on_ SYDNEY.] SYDNEY. [_Enjoying herself_] What do you want now? KIT. [_Chanting_] “The mistletoe hung in the old oak hall!”-- SYDNEY. [_Eluding him_] Shut up, Kit! [_They dodge and scuffle like two puppies till the drawing-room door opens, letting in the sound of voices._] KIT. Sst! [_He dashes up the stairs and comes down again much more soberly as_ SYDNEY _says over her shoulder_--]