[_Brigid and Archie go out by the door on the left. Bertha stands up and, drawing aside the curtains still more, stands in the embrasure of the window looking out. The hall door is heard opening: then a slight noise of voices and cans is heard. The door is closed. After a moment or two Bertha is seen waving her hand gaily in a salute. Brigid enters and stands behind her, looking over her shoulder._] BRIGID. Look at the sit of him! As serious as you like. BERTHA. [_Suddenly withdrawing from her post._] Stand out of the window. I don’t want to be seen. BRIGID. Why, ma’am, what is it? BERTHA. [_Crossing towards the folding doors._] Say I’m not up, that I’m not well. I can’t see anyone. BRIGID. [_Follows her._] Who is it, ma’am? BERTHA. [_Halting._] Wait a moment. [_She listens. A knock is heard at the hall door._] BERTHA. [_Stands a moment in doubt, then._] No, say I’m in. BRIGID. [_In doubt._] Here? BERTHA. [_Hurriedly._] Yes. Say I have just got up. [_Brigid goes out on the left. Bertha goes towards the double doors and fingers the curtains nervously, as if settling them. The hall door is heard to open. Then Beatrice Justice enters and, as Bertha does not turn at once, stands in hesitation near the door on the left. She is dressed as before and has a newspaper in her hand._] BEATRICE. [_Advances rapidly._] Mrs Rowan, excuse me for coming at such an hour. BERTHA. [_Turns._] Good morning, Miss Justice. [_She comes towards her._] Is anything the matter? BEATRICE. [_Nervously._] I don’t know. That is what I wanted to ask you. BERTHA. [_Looks curiously at her._] You are out of breath. Won’t you sit down? BEATRICE. [_Sitting down._] Thank you. BERTHA. [_Sits opposite her, pointing to her paper._] Is there something in the paper? BEATRICE. [_Laughs nervously: opens the paper._] Yes. BERTHA. About Dick? BEATRICE. Yes. Here it is. A long article, a leading article, by my cousin. All his life is here. Do you wish to see it? BERTHA. [_Takes the paper, and opens it._] Where is it? BEATRICE. In the middle. It is headed: _A Distinguished Irishman._ BERTHA. Is it... for Dick or against him? BEATRICE. [_Warmly._] O, for him! You can read what he says about Mr Rowan. And I know that Robert stayed in town very late last night to write it. BERTHA. [_Nervously._] Yes. Are you sure? BEATRICE. Yes. Very late. I heard him come home. It was long after two. BERTHA. [_Watching her._] It alarmed you? I mean to be awakened at that hour of the morning. BEATRICE. I am a light sleeper. But I knew he had come from the office and then... I suspected he had written an article about Mr Rowan and that was why he came so late. BERTHA. How quick you were to think of that! BEATRICE. Well, after what took place here yesterday afternoon—I mean what Robert said, that Mr Rowan had accepted this position. It was only natural I should think... BERTHA. Ah, yes. Naturally.