It is there all the same. I’m sure Hugo would agree with me. Of course, curates are paid next to nothing. Still, I think the Vicar might be more happy in his choice. MRS. DE MULLIN I believe the poor like him. MRS. CLOUSTON _(to whom this seems of small importance compared with his shocking social disabilities)_ Very likely.... Do please keep still, Jane, and don’t fidget with that book. What is the matter with you? MRS. DE MULLIN I’m a little nervous this morning. Hugo’s illness... MRS. CLOUSTON Hugo’s almost well now. MRS. DE MULLIN Still the anxiety... MRS. CLOUSTON Nonsense, Jane. Anxiety is not at all a thing to give way to, especially when there’s no longer anything to be anxious about. Hugo’s practically well now. Dr. Rolt seems to have frightened us all quite unnecessarily. MRS. DE MULLIN I suppose it’s difficult to tell. MRS. CLOUSTON Of course, it’s difficult. Otherwise no one would send for a doctor. What are doctors for if they can’t tell when a case is serious and when it is not? MRS. DE MULLIN But if he didn’t know? MRS. CLOUSTON Then he _ought_ to have known. Next time Hugo is ill you’d better send to Bridport. _(Mrs. De Mullin drops book on table with a clatter)_ Really, Jane, what are you doing? Throwing books about like that! MRS. DE MULLIN It slipped out of my hand.,, [_Rises and goes up to window restlessly._ MRS. CLOUSTON Is anything wrong? MRS. DE MULLIN _(hesitating)_ Well, the truth is I’ve done something, Harriet, and now I’m not sure whether I ought to have done it. Mrs. Clouston Done what? MRS. DE MULLIN _(dolorously)_ I’m afraid you won’t approve. MRS. CLOUSTON Perhaps you’d better tell me what it is. Then we shall know. MRS. DE MULLIN The fact is some one is coming here this morning, Harriet--to see Hugo. MRS. CLOUSTON To see Hugo? Who is it? MRS. DE MULLIN Janet. MRS. CLOUSTON _(with horror)_ Janet? MRS. DE MULLIN Yes. MRS. CLOUSTON Janet! She wouldn’t _dare!_ MRS. DE MULLIN _(dolorously)_ I sent for her, Harriet. MRS. CLOUSTON You _sent_ for her? MRS. DE MULLIN Yes. When Hugo was first taken ill and Dr. Rolt seemed to think the attack was so serious.... MRS. CLOUSTON Dr. Rolt was a fool. MRS. DE MULLIN Very likely, Harriet. But he said Hugo might die. And he said if there was any one Hugo would wish to see.... MRS. CLOUSTON But would Hugo wish to see Janet? MRS. DE MULLIN I thought he might. After all Janet _is_ his daughter. Mrs. Clouston I thought he said he would never see her again? MRS. DE MULLIN He did _say_ that, of course. But that was eight years ago. And, of course, he wasn’t ill then. MRS. CLOUSTON When did you send for her? MRS. DE MULLIN Three days ago. MRS. CLOUSTON Why didn’t she come _then_, if she was coming at all? MRS. DE MULLIN