MRS. AKERS: Well, we ought to be able to cope with the artfulness of mere schoolgirls, surely. Now do let’s sit down and get to business. MRS. BALLANTYNE (_to Mrs. Lloyd-Evans_): As you see, I haven’t brought my daughter. I’m sure it was very thoughtful of you to warn me in your note, but I gather it means that we have something--painful--to discuss? MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: One hardly likes to put things into words--but your Phyllis is a young girl, after all, and I always feel there ought to be something _sacred_ about a young girl. MRS. BALLANTYNE: I had to pretend to Phyllis that you wanted to speak about some very dull question of finance. It was deceiving her, perhaps, but I _do_ so agree with you about how one ought to treat young girls as something _sacred_, as you say. So I told her the whole thing was going to be very formal, and only members of the actual Committee allowed to be present. I’m afraid it was rather in the nature of a pious fraud. (_They all laugh, and draw slightly closer together_.) MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: Before we begin, I should like to say that this must all be in absolute confidence. MRS. BALLANTYNE (_looking at Miss Miller_): Excuse me a moment. (_She whispers to Mrs. Lloyd-Evans. The other ladies try to hear what is said, and at the same time to look as though they were doing nothing of the sort._) MRS. LLOYD-EVANS (_aloud_): I am sure Miss Miller will be discreet. Charity sometimes forces one to face very painful things, and one must be brave and hear about various tragedies that one would far prefer never to mention at all. (_Pause._) One hardly knows how to word certain things. (_Pause._) MRS. BALLANTYNE: Really, if it’s anything of _that_ sort, I think we ought to ask Miss Miller to leave us. (_Aside_): she’s only a girl. MRS. AKERS (_eagerly_): _That_ sort? What sort? MRS. BALLANTYNE: Well, you know what I mean. But I’m sure I hope I’m mistaken. MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: I’m afraid you’re not, Mrs. Ballantyne. MRS. AKERS: Call a spade a spade. Is it the usual thing? MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: I should be sorry to call it the _usual_ thing. But I’m afraid that’s what it is. MRS. AKERS: I’ve worked in a district, and my husband has a large medical practice amongst poor people. I suppose some girl has got into trouble? (_Mrs. Lloyd-Evans bows her head in assent, and once more all three ladies draw their chairs closer together. Miss Miller covers her face with her hands for a moment._) _From now onwards, the three ladies are all much more animated, and full of barely-disguised enjoyment of a subject which they all regard as a delicate one._ MRS. BALLANTYNE: We’re all married women here, and I think we can discuss this better without Miss Miller. MISS MILLER (_quickly, and with suppressed agitation_): If it’s a formal meeting, you’ll want the minutes entered. MRS. AKERS: Yes. She’d better stay.