MAGGIE. I thought he looked a little--upset. . . . LILY. He is rather. He's quite overcome, in fact. But then he would be, of course. _MAGGIE closes door, still looking at LILY._ MAGGIE. What about? LILY. What could I tell him, that would make him more pleased than anything else? MAGGIE. I'm sure I don't know. LILY. What generally happens when people are married? MAGGIE. That! [_Pause._] Lily! LILY. Charley is delighted. MAGGIE. [_unconsciously speaking her thought._] So you've _got_ him after all. LILY. [_indignant._] Maggie!! MAGGIE. Why did you tell him _now?_ _LILY goes out, a little indignant._ _CHARLEY enters from kitchen, dressed for the office._ MAGGIE. Charley! CHARLEY. What's up? Don't rot, Mag! MAGGIE. And now-- CHARLEY. Oh, let's drop it. I was a fool all along--a bit of a beast, too--it's done with. . . . MAGGIE. But-- CHARLEY. What's the good of talking? Don't make me out more of a brute than I am! No, the thing was meant to be! I was mad. After all, a man can't do just what he likes! It's better as it is. If this hadn't happened I should have done it--and a pretty mess, I daresay, I'd have been in--and dragged her in, too-- MAGGIE. If-- _LILY enters._ . . . I don't think I can wait for you, after all, Charley. CHARLEY. Don't trouble. MAGGIE. Good-bye. _She goes._ LILY. You didn't open your letters, dear. CHARLEY. What are they? LILY. [_tearing one open._] About the new lodger--very quick replies. . . . CHARLEY. [_hastily._] Oh, leave them over. LILY. Ready? CHARLEY. [_moving his neck uneasily in the high collar._] Yes--this beastly collar. LILY. It's a pity they make you wear such things. CHARLEY. I've got a short neck. I suppose you shouldn't be a clerk, if you've got a short neck. It doesn't fit the collars. LILY. What an idea! _CHARLEY stands looking at the map a moment. Suddenly he tears it down and throws it into the fire._ CHARLEY. Good-bye, Lil. [_He kisses her._] LILY. Good-bye, dear. _He picks up his silk hat and gloves and puts the hat on as he reaches the door._ _LILY runs to the door._ Good-bye. CHARLEY. Good-bye. [_From outside._] _There is a sound of the front door slamming._ _LILY starts chorus of hymn:_ Count your blessings, count them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done, etc. CURTAIN Transcriber's Note This transcription is based on scanned images posted by the Internet Archive from a copy in the University of Toronto Libraries: archive.org/details/chainsplayinfour00bakeuoft The following changes were made: - p. 2: LILY. Who's Poppy, dear.--Changed period to a question mark. - p. 7: I've er--got some news for you.--Inserted dash after "I've". - p. 12: You are quite free to do as you like, aren't' you, Mr. Tennant?--Deleted apostrophe after "aren't". - p. 15: [_lifting the curtain and coming forward with Leslie._]--Changed "_Leslie_" to unitalicized all caps.