LORD J. Yes, I'm afraid you all sat on the poor gentleman. LADY JOHN (_entering_). Oh, _there_ you are! (_Greets_ MISS LEVERING.) JEAN. It was such fun. He was flat as a pancake when we'd done with him. Aunt Ellen told him with her most distinguished air she didn't want to be "respected." MRS. F. (_with a little laugh of remonstrance_). My _dear_ Lady John! FARN. Quite right! Awful idea to think you're _respected_! MISS L. (_smiling_). Simply revolting. LADY JOHN (_at writing-table_). Now, you frivolous people, go away. We've only got a few minutes to talk over the terms of the late Mr. Soper's munificence before the carriage comes for Miss Levering---- MRS. F. (_to_ FARNBOROUGH). Did you know she'd got that old horror to give Lady John £8,000 for her charity before he died? MRS. F. Who got him to? LADY JOHN. Miss Levering. He wouldn't do it for me, but she brought him round. FREDDY. Yes. Bah-ee Jove! I expect so. MRS. F. (_turning enthusiastically to her husband_). Isn't she wonderful? LORD J. (_aside_). Nice creature. All she needs is---- (MR. _and_ MRS. FREDDY _and_ FARNBOROUGH _stroll off to the garden._ LADY JOHN _on far side of the writing-table._ MRS. HERIOT _at the top._ JEAN _and_ LORD JOHN, L.) GREAT. (_on divan_ C., _aside to_ MISS LEVERING). Too "wonderful" to waste your time on the wrong people. MISS L. I shall waste less of my time after this. GREAT. I'm relieved to hear it. I can't see you wheedling money for shelters and rot of that sort out of retired grocers. MISS L. You see, you call it rot. We couldn't have got £8,000 out of _you_. GREAT. (_very low_). I'm not sure. (MISS LEVERING _looks at him._) GREAT. If I gave you that much--for your little projects--what would you give me? MISS L. (_speaking quietly_). Soper didn't ask that. GREAT. (_horrified_). Soper! I should think not! LORD J. (_turning to_ MISS LEVERING). Soper? You two still talking Soper? How flattered the old beggar'd be! LORD J. (_lower_). Did you hear what Mrs. Heriot said about him? "So kind; so munificent--so _vulgar_, poor soul, we couldn't know him in London--_but we shall meet him in heaven_." (GREATOREX _and_ LORD JOHN _go off laughing._) LADY JOHN (_to Miss Levering_). Sit over there, my dear. (_Indicating chair in front of writing-table._) You needn't stay, Jean. This won't interest you. MISS L. (_in the tone of one agreeing_). It's only an effort to meet the greatest evil in the world? JEAN (_pausing as she's following the others_). What do you call the greatest evil in the world? (_Looks pass between_ MRS. HERIOT _and_ LADY JOHN.) MISS L. (_without emphasis_). The helplessness of women. (JEAN _stands still._) LADY JOHN (_rising and putting her arm about the girl's shoulder_). Jean, darling, I know you can think of nothing but (_aside_) _him_--so just go and----