MRS. GWYN. [With forced gaiety.] Don't be so absurd, Peachey. [MISS BEECH, grunts slightly.] COLONEL. [Once more busy with his papers.] I see the name of your engineer is Rodriguez--Italian, eh? LEVER. Portuguese. COLONEL. Don't like that! LEVER. I believe he was born in England. COLONEL. [Reassured.] Oh, was he? Ah! ERNEST. Awful rotters, those Portuguese! COLONEL. There you go! LETTY. Well, Father, Ernie only said what you said. MRS. HOPE. Now I want to ask you, Mr. Lever, is this gold mine safe? If it isn't--I simply won't allow Tom to take these shares; he can't afford it. LEVER. It rather depends on what you call safe, Mrs. Hope. MRS. HOPE. I don't want anything extravagant, of course; if they're going to pay their 10 per cent, regularly, and Tom can have his money out at any time--[There is a faint whistle from the swing.] I only want to know that it's a thoroughly genuine thing. MRS. GWYN. [Indignantly.] As if Maurice would be a Director if it was n't? MRS. HOPE. Now Molly, I'm simply asking---- MRS. GWYN. Yes, you are! COLONEL. [Rising.] I'll take two thousand of those shares, Lever. To have my wife talk like that--I 'm quite ashamed. LEVER. Oh, come, sir, Mrs. Hope only meant---- [MRS. GWYN looks eagerly at LEVER.] DICK. [Quietly.] Let's go on the river, Joy. [JOY rises, and goes to her Mother's chair.] MRS. HOPE. Of course! What rubbish, Tom! As if any one ever invested money without making sure! LEVER. [Ironically.] It seems a little difficult to make sure in this case. There isn't the smallest necessity for Colonel Hope to take any shares, and it looks to me as if he'd better not. [He lights a cigarette.] MRS. HOPE. Now, Mr. Lever, don't be offended! I'm very anxious for Tom to take the shares if you say the thing's so good. LEVER. I 'm afraid I must ask to be left out, please. JOY. [Whispering.] Mother, if you've finished, do come, I want to show you my room. MRS. HOPE. I would n't say a word, only Tom's so easily taken in. MRS. GWYN. [Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can't you? [Joy gives a little savage laugh.] LETTY. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me? Come on, Dick! [All three go out towards the lawn.] MRS. HOPE. You ought to know your Uncle by this time, Molly. He's just like a child. He'd be a pauper to-morrow if I did n't see to things. COLONEL. Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine. I 'm--I 'm humiliated. [He turns and goes towards the house.] MRS. HOPE. Well, what on earth have I said? [She hurries after him. ] MRS. GWYN. [In a low voice as she passes.] You need n't insult my friends! [LEVER, shrugging his shoulders, has strolled aside. JOY, with a passionate movement seen only by Miss BEECH, goes off towards the house. MISS BEECH and MRS. GWYN aye left alone beside the remnants of the feast.] MISS BEECH. Molly!