O'Cal. Yes. (_He takes a step towards table. They speak across it._) Mrs. G. That woman doesn't cross my threshold. O'Cal. The sight of her _'_ull bring the life back into Peter. Mrs. G. No. O'Cal. You said you wouldn't care what I did. Mrs. G. I didn't know you meant her. O'Cal. (_coming round table_). No, and you called me all the names you could lay your tongue to when I came in last week. Mrs. G. I thought you one of the lot that ruined Peter. I've told you I'm sorry for what I said. O'Cal. Yes. You see it now. Why won't you see Miss Shaweross is a friend as well? Mrs. G. (_sullenly_). She's a woman. O'Cal. And can't you be mistaken about a woman just as much as a man? Mrs. G. She never did Peter any good. She always thought too little of him. O'Cal. (_pleadingly_). Give her a chance, Mrs. Garside, she loves him. Mrs. G. She'd a queer way of showing it, then. O'Cal. She loves him. Mrs. G. (_hotly_). And don't I love him? If love's all he wants to put him right, won't his mother---- O'Cal. There's different kinds of love. Let her try hers. Mrs. G. (_grimly_). Yes. Let her try. O'Cal. (_moving eagerly_). May I? Mrs. G. Bring her in. [_O'Callagan goes to door, then turns suddenly suspicious._ O'Cal. You're not going to be rude to her? Mrs. G. I'm going to give her her chance fair and square. Loves him, does she? We'll see if her love's good enough to do what my love can't, and I'll own I'm wrong about her. She'll get no second chance. O'Cal. She'll need none, neither. Mrs. G. Well, we'll see. Open the door and call her in. [_O'Callagan opens door and calls off._ O'Cal. Will you come in, Miss Shawcross? [_Enter Margaret in a plain winter costume with a cheap fur round her neck._ O'Cal. (_in her ear as she passes him_). It's all right. [_He closes door, Margaret crosses to Mrs. Garside._ Mar. (_anxiously--waiving ceremony_). How is he, Mrs. Garside? Mrs. G. (_turning from her to O'Callagan_). Bring him down, Denis, you know the way. (_O'Callagan crosses and exit r. Mrs. Garside faces Margaret._) We'll understand each other first. You're here on sufferance. I've let you in same as I would a doctor, because O'Callagan thinks there's a chance you'll cure Peter. We're strangers till you've done it. Mar. I understand. Thank you for letting me come. How is he? Mrs. G. He's like to die because he doesn't want to live. [_Enter r., O'Callagan and Peter, whose spectacular disarray is nicely calculated. Physically he appears normal, but his ruffled hair, cross-buttoned waistcoat unbuttoned collar and crooked black tie give the appearance of hopeless abandon. He enters wearily, forgetting himself for a moment on seeing Margaret and speaking vigorously._ Peter. You here! (_Turns as if to go back, but O'Callagan closes the door quickly._) Why didn't you tell me, Denis? Mar. (_stepping forward_). Don't go. I've come to see you, Peter.