Competent authorities assure me there is quiet to be found in the tomb; I anticipate nothing of that kind where I am going to-night. [He goes out. LADY TWOMBLEY watches his going, then turns to BROOKE sharply.] LADY TWOMBLEY. Well, have you got it? BROOKE TWOMBLEY. My--er---- LADY TWOMBLEY. Your skeddle. [BROOKE hands his schedule to LADY TWOMBLEY.] LADY TWOMBLEY. There's a dear boy. [She turns over the leaves, gradually her face assumes a look of horror.] "Total, three thousand----!" [She folds the schedule, puts it in her pocket, and faces BROOKE fiercely with her hands clenched.] LADY TWOMBLEY. You imp! [She boxes his right ear soundly.] BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Mater! LADY TWOMBLEY. You villain! [She boxes his left ear.] BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Don't, Mater! LADY TWOMBLEY. Three thousand pounds! Three thousand times I wish you had never been born! I--I---- [She breaks down, puts her arms round Brooke's neck, and cries.] Oh, Brooke, my dear, forgive your poor mother's vile temper. I've made my Brooke's head ache. Oh, my gracious! BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Don't fret, Mater. If you're run rather low at Scott's---- LADY TWOMBLEY. Scott's, Brooke! When I creep into that bank now and ask for my pass-book I have to hold on to the edge of the counter, I feel so sick and giddy. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Oh, very well then, Mater, I can wait. Mr. Nazareth, of Burlington Street, will accommodate me for a time; a couple of bills, you know, at three and six months--what? LADY TWOMBLEY. [Speaking in a whisper.] Brooky, Brooky, I've thought of those dreadful things for myself. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. For yourself, Mater! Why, you can always get the right side of pa. LADY TWOMBLEY. Brooke! Brooky, I must tell you. Just now poor pa has no right side. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Mater! LADY TWOMBLEY. It's as much as the dear man can do to get a rattle out of his keys. For a long time, Brooke, we've all been outrunning the constable. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Really, Mater, I ought to have been consulted before. LADY TWOMBLEY. I know, Brooke, but I couldn't face my boy's reproaches. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Pa must have been inexcusably reckless--what? LADY TWOMBLEY.