(_She leaves Mrs. Egerton standing near the pines. Other ladies have begun to come in_) RALPH ARDSLEY. What's underneath the forest? MRS. ORR. (_With a strange smile, calling back_) I really will. EGERTON. You give it up? MRS. EGERTON. My noble, noble son! GENERAL CHADBOURNE. He's waiting, gentlemen, till he finds the mine. EGERTON. The man of parts! SEVERAL. Of course. EGERTON. That's why I can't Take you down now. But when I find the mine And get the gold to puddling in the pots, If I can find me plastic metal workers That I can mould and hammer while they mould And hammer out my vision on the walls, I'll show you through some subterranean chambers Will set your eyes a-dazzle. In the dark, Lit by the torches in the miners' caps, You'll see the world of metals moving up Through human hands as here you see the tree. That's why my basement isn't finished yet. CRIES. Good luck! Good luck! EGERTON. I hope you'll be alive. (_He leaves the group and comes forward_) GOVERNOR BRADDOCK. Magnificent conception. BISHOP HARDBROOKE. A great man. EGERTON. (_To the Butler_) Call them in, Charles. Have all of them come in. GOVERNOR BRADDOCK. Metals, then trees, then mills, then books and pictures. BISHOP HARDBROOKE. Raw matter on its spiral up to spirit. EGERTON. While we're at riddles, gentlemen---- (_Ladies come in, centre and forward right_) EGERTON. Come right in. If you'll allow me, friends, suppose you stand Where you can have my forest in your eye. (_He arranges them to face right_) I don't see, ladies, how you ever endure The dulness of these males. We've been at riddles. Come in. I've kept my best wine for the last. (_He steps back near the door, centre right_) Suppose you'd made an Adam out of clay, Worked years to get it to your satisfaction, And now you're looking at it, hands all washed And mind confronting, weighing what's been done. Suddenly you're aware of something standing by you That whispers in your left ear: 'Make a wish Within the power of God.' What would it be? BISHOP HARDBROOKE. To see it walk about the garden, brother. EGERTON. Suppose your Adam was a pine-wood, Bishop, That couldn't walk. MRS. ORR. (_Ardently_) Then just to hear it breathe. EGERTON. A woman's intuition! (_Looks to see who it is_) Sylvia Orr! BISHOP HARDBROOKE. _Sylva_ a forest. EGERTON. An old friend of mine. (_He gives a signal to some one_) A clear day in the pine-wood. (_Suddenly the hall is beautifully illuminated_) GUESTS. Ah! EGERTON. With clouds, The dawn just breaking. (_The hall becomes gray and shadowy_) Ancient silence. MRS. EGERTON. (_Half in terror_) Donald! EGERTON. Let us be quiet now.