Hear them laugh! I wouldn't live with such a wicked man. MRS. EGERTON. That isn't kind in you. MRS. ORR. In twenty years We'll all be wearing grave-clothes. MRS. EGERTON. Sylvia! MRS. ORR. There'll not be one retreat where we can go, We ladies of the _ancien régime_; We'll all be out, with not a single place Where we can make the tables ring with cards And laugh and just be gay. Even the pines, The beautiful pines, are tainted, and the snow. The winter long I'll never dare go out. I'll be afraid I'll catch this 'Help the world' And come home hearing things. You precious goose! You just shan't give way to this silly mood. And at the moment when you have about you The money and the best names in the State; Just everything that mortal heart can wish. (_They watch the men coming down the steps_) You ought to be so proud. MRS. EGERTON. I am. (_The piano stops_) A GIRL. (_Who has been waltzing_) O pshaw! MRS. ORR. Even the Governor--don't you see, when he's with Donald And when his wife's with you, how they both show How all they are and all they hope to be They owe to Donald? MRS. EGERTON. I know, I know. A YOUNG MAN. Come on! MRS. EGERTON. And he's so good, so good in many ways. (_The young people make for the conservatory_) MRS. ORR. And yet so gay, so sensible with it all. MRS. EGERTON. It isn't that I'm ungrateful, Sylvia. I'm never done with thanking God for all The blessings that I have. MRS. ORR. Children and wealth. MRS. EGERTON. And Donald, too. MRS. ORR. O really! A YOUNG MAN. Bring the score! MRS. EGERTON. I can't help wishing, though, that he would see And do for others as he does for us. (_They stand listening_) EGERTON. Just let your minds go out about the mountains. (_A pause_) Have you had too much punch, or what's the trouble? (_Laughter_) MRS. ORR. Just hear how joyous hearted! Promise me---- MRS. EGERTON. (_In alarm_) He's telling them of the pines! MRS. ORR. What would you do? MRS. EGERTON. (_Beckons to the Butler, who is passing_) Tell Donald that I wish to speak with---- MRS. ORR. Stop! EGERTON. It's something, gentlemen, that we all have need of. MRS. ORR. Dear, if you ever dare tell Donald this And pass this ghastly whisper to his heart, I'll be the Secret Lady of the Pines; I'll whisper something. What if Donald knew Who's kept the strike afoot? The great unknown Contributor to the Citizens' Relief? Who had twelve hundred dollars in the bank, A present from a Christmas long ago? Twelve hundred and twelve hundred----! MRS. EGERTON. It can't be! MRS. ORR. We bankers' wives---- MRS. EGERTON. A mere coincidence. MRS. ORR. It's not; he's checked it out. So! If you care Nothing for Donald's happiness, I do.