The only hope we’ve got is to go on. If he gets in, if we can pull things together, we may get out of the muddle. He’s positive of it. The only thing that held me up was the thought of all of you. If I’d gone to the police there and then--or made away with myself, it would have meant the ruin of all of you. CATHERINE. And of all the unhappy people who’ve trusted everything they had to George. ETCHINGHAM. You think I was right, Kate, don’t you? It wasn’t just cowardice on my part? CATHERINE. I hope you were right. ETCHINGHAM. But if it was all in vain? If he’s not able to float the company and the truth comes out, then I shall have sacrificed you for nothing. CATHERINE. Oh, don’t think of it. ETCHINGHAM. I believe if he wins the election he’ll be strong enough to force the issue on them. CATHERINE. But if the mine’s worthless? ETCHINGHAM. We’re going to buy the shares in when the tide turns in Central America. Things are looking brighter already. He’s promised me that no one shall lose a farthing. When that’s done I go. Oh, how thankful I shall be! CATHERINE. Oh, I know, I know. ETCHINGHAM. I had to tell some one, and I couldn’t tell your mother. CATHERINE. I’m glad you told me. It makes it easier to bear now we both know. ANNE. At last!... Father, father. [_She comes back into the room, excitedly, and at the same time a vague, muffled shouting is heard in the distance._ ETCHINGHAM _springs to his feet_. ETCHINGHAM. Thank God. The suspense was awful. LADY FRANCIS. There’s no mistaking it this time. ETCHINGHAM. Is he in? Is he in? ANNE. Of course he’s in. I’ve never felt so confident in my life. ETCHINGHAM. If it’s all right, then we’re safe. I’m sure it’s the beginning of the turn. LADY FRANCIS. Why doesn’t Teddie make haste? ANNE. Listen to the shouting. Isn’t it splendid? [_More shouting is heard, this time a little louder._ ETCHINGHAM. I expect they’re reading out the figures. [TEDDIE O’DONNELL _rushes in, rather dishevelled, with his hat on the back of his head_. O’DONNELL. He’s in! ANNE. How ripping! [FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM _sinks into a chair, too overcome to speak, trying to compose himself_. CATHERINE _puts her hand on his shoulder to show her sympathy_. LADY FRANCIS. What’s the majority? O’DONNELL. Twenty-seven. ANNE. I say, what a squeak! O’DONNELL. Just at the end I thought we were beaten. It was Morrison, Morrison, Morrison, until I almost screamed. ETCHINGHAM. Well, he’s in at all events. ANNE. I am glad. [_She throws her arms impulsively round_ O’DONNELL’S _neck and kisses him_. O’DONNELL. By Jove, it was a moment to live for when the figures were read out. You never heard such shouting. CATHERINE. Where is he now? O’DONNELL. When I left he was making a speech to the crowd. But one couldn’t hear a word, because every one was shouting at the top of his voice. I simply bellowed. ANNE.