e--you don't want me?

CHLOE. No; I want the cachets.

[ANNA goes out.]

[CHLOE looks at her wrist-watch, goes to the writing-table,
which is old-fashioned, with a secret drawer, looks round her,
dives at the secret drawer, takes out a roll of notes and a
tissue paper parcel. She counts the notes: "Three hundred."
Slips them into her breast and unwraps the little parcel. It
contains pears. She slips them, too, into her dress, looks
round startled, replaces the drawer, and regains her place on
the sofa, lying prostrate as the door opens, and HORNBLOWER
comes in. She does not open her ages, and he stands looking at
her a moment before speaking.]

HORNBLOWER. [Almost softly] How are ye feelin'. Chloe?

CHLOE. Awful head!

HORNBLOWER: Can ye attend a moment? I've had a note from that
woman.

[CHLOE sits up.]

HORNBLOWER. [Reading] "I have something of the utmost importance
to tell you in regard to your daughter-in-law. I shall be waiting
to see you at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. The matter is so
utterly vital to the happiness of all your family, that I cannot
imagine you will fail to come." Now, what's the meaning of it? Is
it sheer impudence, or lunacy, or what?

CHLOE. I don't know.

HORNBLOWER. [Not unkindly] Chloe, if there's anything--ye'd better
tell me. Forewarned's forearmed.

CHLOE. There's nothing; unless it's--[With a quick took at him,]--
Unless it's that my father was a--a bankrupt.

HORNBLOWER. Hech! Many a man's been that. Ye've never told us
much about your family.

CHLOE. I wasn't very proud of him.

HORNBLOWER. Well, ye're not responsible for your father. If that's
all, it's a relief. The bitter snobs! I'll remember it in the
account I've got with them.

CHLOE. Father, don't say anything to Charlie; it'll only worry him
for nothing.

HORNBLOWER. No, no, I'll not. If I went bankrupt, it'd upset
Chearlie, I've not a doubt. [He laugh. Looking at her shrewdly]
There's nothing else, before I answer her?

[CHLOE shakes her head.]

Ye're sure?

CHLOE. [With an efort] She may invent things, of course.

HORNBLOWER. [Lost in his feud feeling] Ah! but there's such a
thing as the laws o' slander. If they play pranks, I'll have them
up for it.

CHLOE. [Timidly] Couldn't you stop this quarrel; father? You said
it was on my account. But I don't want to know them. And they do