MRS. DERMOTT. No, but of course he may have been out prospecting or broncho-breaking or something when it arrived. They live such restless lives out there--oh, no, I don't think he'll fail me, he's my only brother. EVANGELINE. I wonder how much he _has_ got. MRS. DERMOTT. Perhaps Tibbets will know--we'll ask him. BOBBIE. Why, is he Uncle Daniel's lawyer as well? MRS. DERMOTT. No, dear, but you know lawyers are always clever at knowing other people's business--I shall never forget---- BOBBIE. Yes--but mother, what will happen if he _isn't_ rich, and doesn't help us after all? MRS. DERMOTT. I really don't know, darling. It's terribly upsetting, isn't it? JOYCE. It will be _awful_ having to give up the house. MRS. DERMOTT. Well, Tibbets says we needn't for another two years. It's paid for until then or something. SYLVIA (_sits on the Chesterfield_). Thank heaven! What a relief! MRS. DERMOTT. But we shall have to be awfully careful. Oh, darlings (_she breaks down_), thank God I've got you. (_Weeps on_ BOBBIE'S _knee._) SYLVIA. Buck up mother, it isn't as bad as all that. After all, we can work. BOBBIE (_without enthusiasm_). Yes, we can work. (_Moving from table to_ R.) EVANGELINE. I shall write things, really artistic little fragments---- BOBBIE. We want to make money, Vangy. MRS. DERMOTT. But, darlings, you know you can't make money unless you're Socialists and belong to Unions and things. EVANGELINE. Well, I know _I_ should make money in time. There's a great demand for really good stuff now. SYLVIA. Do you think yours _is_ really good? EVANGELINE. I'm sure it is. (MRS. DERMOTT _reads a magazine._) BOBBIE. Well, God help the bad. EVANGELINE (_rising_). Look here, Bobbie, I'm tired of your silly jeering at me. Just stop trying to be funny. (_Moves to_ L.C.) BOBBIE (_hotly_). I realize the futility of endeavour when I see how funny others can be _without_ trying (_following her._) EVANGELINE. Ill-bred little pip squeak! JOYCE (_jumping up; firing_). He's not a pip squeak. Fanny Harris says he's the most good-looking boy she's ever seen. EVANGELINE. She can't have seen many then. (_Moves to fireplace._) BOBBIE. Oh! Don't betray your jealousy of my looks, Evangeline. It's so degrading. EVANGELINE. I tell you---- MRS. DERMOTT. Children, stop quarelling at once. I think it's most inconsiderate of you under the circumstances. (BOBBIE _sits on table back to audience. There is silence for a moment. Enter_ GRIGGS _from hall with a telegram_.) GRIGGS. For you, madam. (_All show an interest._) MRS. DERMOTT (_taking it_). Thank you, Griggs. (_She opens it and reads it._) There is no answer, Griggs. (_Exit_ GRIGGS, R.) My dears! JOYCE. What is it, mother, quick? MRS. DERMOTT (_reading_). Arrive this afternoon--about tea time, Daniel. SYLVIA. Uncle Daniel! EVANGELINE. In England! MRS. DERMOTT. I suppose so. It was handed in at Charing Cross. BOBBIE. What luck! (_Gets off table._)