BERTRAM. [_Joining her._] Perhaps it would be wiser, mother, for me to retire while the interview takes place. LADY FILSON. [_Falling upon his neck._] Oh, my dear boy----! SIR RANDLE. [_Getting away from the door._] They're coming! BERTRAM. [_Quickly._] I'm near you if you want me, I mean t'say---- [_He goes out at the door on the left._ LADY FILSON _hastily resumes her seat at the writing-table, and_ SIR RANDLE, _pulling himself together, crosses to the fireplace. The glazed door opens and_ OTTOLINE _appears with_ PHILIP. OTTOLINE. [_Quietly._] Mr. Mackworth, mother--Dad---- PHILIP. [_Advancing to_ LADY FILSON _cordially._] How do you do, Lady Filson? LADY FILSON. [_Giving him a reluctant hand and eyeing him askance with mingled aversion and indignation._] H-how do you do? PHILIP. This is very good of you. [_Bowing to_ SIR RANDLE.] How are you, Sir Randle? SIR RANDLE. [_His head in the air, severely._] How do you do, Mr. Mackworth? PHILIP. [_Breaking the ice._] We--we meet after many years---- SIR RANDLE. Many. LADY FILSON. [_Still examining_ PHILIP.] M-many. PHILIP. And--if you've ever bestowed a thought on me since the old Paris days--in a way you can scarcely have expected. LADY FILSON. [_Turning to the writing-table to conceal her repugnance._] Scarcely. SIR RANDLE. Scarcely. PHILIP. [_To_ SIR RANDLE.] Oh, I am not vain enough, Sir Randle, to flatter myself that what you have heard from Ottoline gives you and Lady Filson unmixed pleasure. On the contrary---- LADY FILSON. [_Gulping._] Pleasure! [_Unable to repress herself._] Unmixed--! Ho, ho, ho, ho----! SIR RANDLE. [_Restraining her._] Winifred----! OTTOLINE. [_Coming to_ LADY FILSON _and touching her gently--in a low voice._] Mother----! PHILIP. [_Smiling at_ OTTOLINE _apologetically._] It's my fault; I provoked that. [_Walking away to the right._] I expressed myself rather clumsily, I'm afraid. SIR RANDLE. [_Expanding his chest and advancing to_ PHILIP.] I gather from my daughter, Mr. Mackworth, that you are here for the purpose of "explaining your position" in relation to her. I believe I quote her words accurately---- OTTOLINE. [_Moving to the fireplace._] Yes, Dad. PHILIP.