Vin. Just so. We're not willing to shift. But my idea is this. We're all old people, and our families have married off. There's no young blood in the Polygon, except Walter here and my daughter, to use those tennis courts and croquet lawns of ours. They're pleasant to walk about in and it's a real sacrifice to part with them. But I propose writing to Sir Charles suggesting that if (_crossing to l. c. and back; returns to l. for end of speech_) he cares to sell you some building land outside the town we will sacrifice our lawns for a park if he will leave our bricks and mortar standing till--till we old fogies have done with them. How does that strike you, Mr. Verity? Ste. It strikes me your motto will do for me as Well as for you. Vin. My motto? Ste. No compromise, Mr. Vining. Walter. Mr. Verity, surely it's a fair offer. It's generous. It's---- Ste. Indeed! If that's your notion of generosity---- Vin. It's my last word. Ste. (_rises_). Then I need stay no longer. (_Moves towards door._) Walter (_rises_). Oh, but---- (_Maid announces, "Miss Verity." Enter Lucy. Exit Maid._) Ste. You! What are you doing here? Lucy (_crosses up r. c._). I came to see Walter. Ste. But--I locked you up. Lucy. As you see, I've escaped. Walter. Locked you up! Lucy. Oh, yes. Father does things like that. Ste. Come home, girl. Lucy. Not yet. I'm a rebel to-day. You locked me up because I refused to marry Mr. Bamford---- Walter. What! Lucy. And I've escaped to tell the truth about you and---- Ste. Hold your tongue. Lucy. No. I'm going to tell Walter all I know. Ste. (_sneering_). He's welcome to all _you_ know. Lucy. He's welcome to all I know and all I am. Mrs. M. Walter, what does this mean? (_Rises._) Vin. I have never heard a more immodest speech. Walter. Miss Verity and I are engaged. Ste. You're not. You agreed last night that you weren't. Lucy. That was before you had thrown me at Bamford's head. I'm engaged to Walter, and I've things to tell him, things I've discovered about---- Ste. Be quiet, will you. Lucy. No. This is no time for concealment. We've got beyond all that. Ste. You've nothing to conceal. Lucy. Then why do you try to stop my mouth? Ste. I don't. I'm here on business. I've no time for girls' foolishness. Vining, can we go somewhere to draft that letter? (_Crosses down to Vining._) Vin. Letter? What letter? Ste. The compromise. Vin. I thought you said---- (_Crossing slowly._) Ste. Never mind what I said. Shall we go? Lucy. Yes, go, while I tell Walter all I know. Ste. Tell him what you like now. (_Exit Stephen with Vining._) CURTAIN. ACT IV. _Verity's dining-room as Act II a week later. Bamford and Stephen enter from r. Stephen just pocketing his watch._ [Illustration: 0092] Stephen. You're a bit early for the meeting, Sam. (_Crosses to c. above table._) Bamford. Yes; fact is, I wanted a word with you alone about that other matter. Ste. Lucy?