CLARE. Well, platonic lovers _do_ kiss each other now and then ... don’t they? MICHAEL. (_Solemnly._) I believe they do. CLARE. And, Mike.... MICHAEL. Well? CLARE. I don’t want you to give me that frock. MICHAEL. But—— CLARE. Or the gloves. MICHAEL. But why not, Clare? I don’t understand.... CLARE. Don’t you, old boy? Neither do I. But I’d much rather you didn’t—now. MICHAEL. Surely, dear—— (_LADY PATRICIA’S voice is heard speaking beneath._) CLARE. Hush!... And I’m going home now. Don’t try to prevent me, like a good chap. And I want to walk back alone. (_LADY PATRICIA emerges speaking to BALDWIN, who follows her._) LADY PATRICIA. We’ve come just at the wonderful moment, Baldwin. All the west is a ritual of gold. (_She has a wrap over her of a wonderful sunset hue and a white lily in her hand._) Here’s poor Baldwin deeply grieved because he’s shooed away every time he gets to work! MICHAEL. He didn’t seem to be doing anything particular, dearest, when I sent him away. LADY PATRICIA. But, Michael—— (_BALDWIN, with his shears and saws, crosses to the right and examines the sunset._) CLARE. Don’t you remember he was keeping a h’eye on the sun? LADY PATRICIA. But, Clare! What a dreadful state you’re in! CLARE. I know. Your trees are shockingly dirty. You really ought to get Baldwin to scrub them with soap and water!... Lady Patricia, I hope you won’t think me very rude if I run away. I had quite forgotten it was father’s sermon night when I accepted Mr. Cosway’s invitation to dinner. I always help him with his sermons. LADY PATRICIA. You, my dear child! CLARE. I verify the quotations and prune the adjectives.... Then you’ll forgive me? LADY PATRICIA. Sweet girl! (_She strokes CLARE’S unwilling face._) I’m very sorry, because I’m going to do such a wicked and decadent thing at dinner. You see this lily? So virginal and nun-like! I am going to put her into a glassful of wine and make her tipsy. CLARE. Oh!... LADY PATRICIA. You must come some other evening. We are both so very fond of you. CLARE. Good-bye. Good-bye, Mr. Cosway. MICHAEL. Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? CLARE. Quite, thanks. Good-bye. (_She goes out._) LADY PATRICIA. She seems to be in a chastened frame of mind. MICHAEL. Perhaps she’s not quite well. LADY PATRICIA. (_Holding out her hands to him._) Michael.... MICHAEL. (_Taking her hands._) Dearest! LADY PATRICIA. It will be just—just you and I! MICHAEL. You and I, Patricia! LADY PATRICIA. You needn’t stay, Baldwin. BALDWIN. (_Who is still staring into the sunset._) Beg pardon, mum? LADY PATRICIA. You needn’t stay. BALDWIN. But if you’ll excuse my sayin’ so, mum, the sun—— LADY PATRICIA. Another time, Baldwin. BALDWIN. Yes, ’m. (_He goes out slowly._) LADY PATRICIA. Just you and I, Michael.... Kiss me. MICHAEL.