ERNEST. He's not at all the sort of Johnny that appeals to me. COLONEL. Really? ERNEST. [Unmoved.] If I were you, Colonel, I should tip her the wink. He was hanging about her at Ascot all the time. It 's a bit thick! [MRS. HOPE followed by ROSE appears from the house.] COLONEL. [Stammering with passion.] Jackanapes! MRS. HOPE. Don't stand there, Tom; clear those papers, and let Rose lay the table. Now, Ernest, go and get another chair. [The COLONEL looks wildly round and sits beneath the hollow tree, with his head held in his hands. ROSE lays the cloth.] MRS. BEECH. [Sitting beside the COLONEL.] Poor creature! ERNEST. [Carrying his chair about with him.] Ask any Johnny in the City, he 'll tell you Mexico's a very tricky country--the people are awful rotters-- MRS. HOPE. Put that chair down, Ernest. [ERNEST looks at the chair, puts it down, opens his mouth, and goes away. ROSE follows him.] What's he been talking about? You oughtn't to get so excited, Tom; is your head bad, old man? Here, take these papers! [She hands the papers to the COLONEL.] Peachey, go in and tell them tea 'll be ready in a minute, there 's a good soul? Oh! and on my dressing table you'll find a bottle of Eau de Cologne. MRS. BEECH. Don't let him get in a temper again. That 's three times to-day! [She goes towards the house. ] COLONEL. Never met such a fellow in my life, the most opinionated, narrow-minded--thinks he knows everything. Whatever Letty could see in him I can't think. Pragmatical beggar! MRS. HOPE. Now Tom! What have you been up to, to get into a state like this? COLONEL. [Avoiding her eyes.] I shall lose my temper with him one of these days. He's got that confounded habit of thinking nobody can be right but himself. MRS. HOPE. That's enough! I want to talk to you seriously! Dick's in love. I'm perfectly certain of it. COLONEL. Love! Who's he in love with--Peachey? MRS. HOPE. You can see it all over him. If I saw any signs of Joy's breaking out, I'd send them both away. I simply won't have it. COLONEL. Why, she's a child! MRS. HOPE. [Pursuing her own thoughts.] But she isn't--not yet. I've been watching her very carefully. She's more in love with her Mother than any one, follows her about like a dog! She's been quite rude to Mr. Lever. COLONEL. [Pursuing his own thoughts.] I don't believe a word of it. [He rises and walks about] MRS. HOPE. Don't believe a word of what? [The COLONEL is Silent.] [Pursuing his thoughts with her own.] If I thought there was anything between Molly and Mr. Lever, d 'you suppose I'd have him in the house? [The COLONEL stops, and gives a sort of grunt.] He's a very nice fellow; and I want you to pump him well, Tom, and see what there is in this mine. COLONEL. [Uneasily.] Pump! MRS. HOPE. [Looking at him curiously.] Yes, you 've been up to something! Now what is it?