[In a lower voice.] Your uncle's getting very bald. I 've only shoulder of lamb for lunch, and a salad. It's lucky it's too hot to eat. [MISS BEECH has appeared while she is speaking.] Here she is, Peachey! MISS BEECH. I see her. [She kisses MRS. GWYN, and looks at her intently.] MRS. GWYN. [Shrugging her shoulders.] Well, Peachey! What d 'you make of me? COLONEL. [Returning from his search.] There's a white hat crossing the second stile. Is that your friend, Molly? [MRS. GWYN nods.] MRS. HOPE. Oh! before I forget, Peachey--Letty and Ernest can move their things back again. I'm going to put Mr. Lever in your room. [Catching sight o f the paint pot on the ground.] There's that disgusting paint pot! Take it up at once, Tom, and put it in the tree. [The COLONEL picks up the pot and bears it to the hollow tree followed by MRS. HOPE; he enters.] MRS. HOPE. [Speaking into the tree.] Not there! COLONEL. [From within.] Well, where then? MRS. HOPE. Why--up--oh! gracious! [MRS. GWYN, standing alone, is smiling. LEVER approaches from the towing-path. He is a man like a fencer's wrist, supple and steely. A man whose age is difficult to tell, with a quick, good-looking face, and a line between his brows; his darkish hair is flecked with grey. He gives the feeling that he has always had to spurt to keep pace with his own life.] MRS. HOPE. [Also entering the hollow tree.] No-oh! COLONEL. [From the depths, in a high voice.] Well, dash it then! What do you want? MRS. GWYN. Peachey, may I introduce Mr. Lever to you? Miss Beech, my old governess. [They shake each other by the hand.] LEVER. How do you do? [His voice is pleasant, his manner easy.] MISS BEECH. Pleased to meet you. [Her manner is that of one who is not pleased. She watches.] MRS. GWYN. [Pointing to the tree-maliciously.] This is my uncle and my aunt. They're taking exercise, I think. [The COLONEL and MRS. HOPE emerge convulsively. They are very hot. LEVER and MRS. GWYN are very cool.] MRS. HOPE. [Shaking hands with him.] So you 've got here! Are n't you very hot?--Tom! COLONEL. Brought a splendid day with you! Splendid! [As he speaks, Joy comes running with a bunch of roses; seeing LEVER, she stops and stands quite rigid.] MISS BEECH. [Sitting in the swing.] Thunder! COLONEL. Thunder? Nonsense, Peachey, you're always imagining something. Look at the sky! MISS BEECH. Thunder! [MRS. GWYN's smile has faded. ] MRS. HOPE. [Turning.] Joy, don't you see Mr. Lever? [Joy, turning to her mother, gives her the roses. With a forced smile, LEVER advances, holding out his hand.] LEVER. How are you, Joy? Have n't seen you for an age! JOY. [Without expression.] I am very well, thank you.