MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: Proposed and seconded. Those in favour--(_they each lift up a hand_). Those against.... Carried unanimously, I think. MRS. AKERS: Now, is there anything more we can do? MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: I don’t think so. If there are any further developments, I will let you know, of course. I mean, if one can get any admission out of the girl, for instance. She seemed to me perfectly stolid and bewildered, but one doesn’t want to risk upsetting her, naturally. It would be extremely annoying if anything happened before we can get her away. MRS. BALLANTYNE: What did they say about her health? Is she all right? MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: Perfectly all right. Why shouldn’t she be--a young, healthy girl like that! MRS. AKERS: After all, it’s nature. MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: I don’t call it nature at all, at fifteen. I call it _sin_. (_Rises, and goes to put on her coat. The other two remain seated._) MRS. BALLANTYNE (_shuddering_): Fifteen! Just think of it! My Phyllis is only two years older. Thank heaven, I’ve been able to keep her as innocent as a baby. She knows _nothing_--absolutely nothing. MRS. AKERS: Innocence is such a safeguard. MRS. BALLANTYNE: What I shall tell her about this meeting, I really don’t know. Unfortunately, she knew where I was coming, and I shall have to invent something to tell her in case she asks any questions about it, as she’s certain to do. Luckily, I think she trusts me absolutely. MRS. AKERS: Come home to tea with me, dear Mrs. Ballantyne. It will help to take both our minds off the whole sad subject. MRS. BALLANTYNE: How very kind of you! I should love to. We must try and forget all about it for the time being. MRS. AKERS: I can’t help wondering how Fanny could have managed to deceive her mother for so long. MRS. BALLANTYNE: I must say, I should have thought any woman with eyes in her head---- MRS. AKERS: Yes, and besides, why didn’t the girl, if she was a respectable girl, go _straight_ to her mother when---- (_Mrs. Akers and Mrs. Ballantyne, lean across the table, talking busily about Fanny’s behaviour, both at once. Meanwhile Mrs. Lloyd-Evans, who has now got her furs on, stands as though listening to some sound outside the door, unnoticed by the other two. She tiptoes rapidly to the door and flings it open. Miss Miller is crouching outside, having evidently been listening. One side of her face is scarlet where it has been pressed to the door, the other white. She rises awkwardly as the door opens, but not before they have all seen her._) MRS. LLOYD-EVANS: I _thought_ so! MISS MILLER (_wildly_): What did you think, Mrs. Lloyd-Evans? That I’ve been listening at the door? So I have! That I’ve overheard all your charitable plans for Fanny Smith and her illegitimate child? So I have! MRS. AKERS: You should be ashamed of yourself. MRS. BALLANTYNE: What’s the meaning of this?