SEVENTH LADY. To have a son like that! EIGHTH LADY. Yes, what a pity. NINTH LADY. He hasn't anything like the grace of George. SEVENTH LADY. Nor the accomplishments. EIGHTH LADY. Nor the education. SEVENTH LADY. He belongs down in the mill among the men. EIGHTH LADY. One would have thought, though, at the first reception-- If only for his mother's sake. SEVENTH LADY. That's true. NINTH LADY. How old she looks to-night. GLADYS EGERTON. (_Who has been skipping to the music, whirls in from the main hall_) Mother is old. NINTH LADY. I did not mean for you to overhear that. GLADYS EGERTON. O that's all right. We always do that way. (_Continues dancing_) If you had on your heart what mother has You'd look old, too. EIGHTH LADY. What did she mean by that? GLADYS EGERTON. Leave us alone here just a little while. (_The women go out right_) GLADYS EGERTON. Mother! MRS. EGERTON. Yes, darling. GLADYS EGERTON. Mother, where is Harry? (_Dances_) MRS. EGERTON. I do not know. GLADYS EGERTON. It's very embarrassing. People are whispering. Mother, has no word come? MRS. EGERTON. Have you asked your father? GLADYS EGERTON. Yes. (_Dances_) Mother, I'm sure Something has happened to him. MRS. EGERTON. Don't, my child, Don't say that. GLADYS EGERTON. (_Mysteriously_) Why? MRS. EGERTON. Go, child; people are watching us. GLADYS EGERTON. _I_ know why! _I_ know why! (_Dances_) Let go! let go! MRS. EGERTON. And please tell Donald that I'm waiting for him. GLADYS EGERTON. You're going after flowers, mother; _I_ know. MRS. EGERTON. Flowers, my child? What for? GLADYS EGERTON. For Harry's grave. MRS. EGERTON. Why Gladys, Gladys Egerton! GLADYS EGERTON. (_Whirling back into the main hall_) _I_ know. (_She disappears into the conservatory, left. Alone, Mrs. Egerton stands a pathetic figure. She walks back into the deserted hall and stops and listens as though to the upper part of the walls. She then turns slowly and comes forward again. George Egerton enters quickly from the conservatory_) GEORGE EGERTON. Mother! MRS. EGERTON. Yes, George. GEORGE EGERTON. This is disgraceful, mother. MRS. EGERTON. I cannot help it, George. GEORGE EGERTON. Where did he go? MRS. EGERTON. I've told you, George. Now please don't bother me. GEORGE EGERTON. People are whispering. MRS. EGERTON. But what can I do? GEORGE EGERTON. Call to them that he's up in bed with fever, Or say that he was brought home from the river drowned. MRS. EGERTON. (_Calling aloud_) It's none of your business, people! Harry's my son. (_She comes forward_) GEORGE EGERTON. That wasn't what I said. You are just like him.