(Perhaps she adds to herself, ‘Except just this once.’ A kiss closes this episode of the two lovers; and soon after the departure of LADY MARY the COUNTESS OF BROCKLEHURST is announced. She is a very formidable old lady.) LADY BROCKLEHURST. Alone, George? LORD BROCKLEHURST. Mother, I told her all; she has behaved magnificently. LADY BROCKLEHURST (who has not shared his fears). Silly boy. (She casts a supercilious eye on the island trophies.) So these are the wonders they brought back with them. Gone away to dry her eyes, I suppose? LORD BROCKLEHURST (proud of his mate). She didn’t cry, mother. LADY BROCKLEHURST. No? (She reflects.) You’re quite right. I wouldn’t have cried. Cold, icy. Yes, that was it. LORD BROCKLEHURST (who has not often contradicted her). I assure you, mother, that wasn’t it at all. She forgave me at once. LADY BROCKLEHURST (opening her eyes sharply to the full). Oh! LORD BROCKLEHURST. She was awfully nice about the boat being late; she even said she was relieved to find that I wasn’t quite perfect. LADY BROCKLEHURST (pouncing). She said that? LORD BROCKLEHURST. She really did. LADY BROCKLEHURST. I mean I wouldn’t. Now if I had said that, what would have made me say it? (Suspiciously.) George, is Mary all we think her? LORD BROCKLEHURST (with unexpected spirit). If she wasn’t, mother, you would know it. LADY BROCKLEHURST. Hold your tongue, boy. We don’t really know what happened on that island. LORD BROCKLEHURST. You were reading the book all the morning. LADY BROCKLEHURST. How can I be sure that the book is true? LORD BROCKLEHURST. They all talk of it as true. LADY BROCKLEHURST. How do I know that they are not lying? LORD BROCKLEHURST. Why should they lie? LADY BROCKLEHURST. Why shouldn’t they? (She reflects again.) If I had been wrecked on an island, I think it highly probable that I should have lied when I came back. Weren’t some servants with them? LORD BROCKLEHURST. Crichton, the butler. (He is surprised to see her ring the bell.) Why, mother, you are not going to-- LADY BROCKLEHURST. Yes, I am. (Pointedly.) George, watch whether Crichton begins any of his answers to my questions with ‘The fact is.’ LORD BROCKLEHURST. Why? LADY BROCKLEHURST. Because that is usually the beginning of a lie. LORD BROCKLEHURST (as CRICHTON opens the door). Mother, you can’t do these things in other people’s houses. LADY BROCKLEHURST (coolly, to CRICHTON). It was I who rang. (Surveying him through her eyeglass.) So you were one of the castaways, Crichton? CRICHTON. Yes, my lady. LADY BROCKLEHURST. Delightful book Mr. Woolley has written about your adventures. (CRICHTON bows.) Don’t you think so? CRICHTON. I have not read it, my lady. LADY BROCKLEHURST. Odd that they should not have presented you with a copy. LORD BROCKLEHURST. Presumably Crichton is no reader. LADY BROCKLEHURST. By the way, Crichton, were there any books on the island? CRICHTON. I had one, my lady--Henley’s poems.