He comes down. Will you come to me?

FAITH stares at him. MRS MARCH continues to smile faintly.

MARY. [With a horrified gesture] Johnny!

JOHNNY. Will you? I'll play cricket if you do.

MR MARCH. [Under his breath] Good God!

He stares in suspense at FAITH, whose face is a curious blend of
fascination and live feeling.

JOHNNY. Well?

FAITH. [Softly] Don't be silly! I've got no call on you. You don't
care for me, and I don't for you. No! You go and put your head in ice.
[She turns to the door] Good-bye, Mr March! I'm sorry I've been so much
trouble.

MR MARCH. Not at all, not at all!

FAITH. Oh! Yes, I have. There's nothing to be done with a girl like
me. She goes out.

JOHNNY. [Taking up the decanter to pour himself out a glass of brandy]
Empty!

COOK. [Who has entered with a tray] Yes, my dearie, I'm sure you are.

JOHNNY. [Staring at his father] A vision, Dad! Windows of Clubs--men
sitting there; and that girl going by with rouge on her cheeks--

COOK. Oh! Master Johnny!

JOHNNY. A blue night--the moon over the Park. And she stops and looks
at it.--What has she wanted--the beautiful--something better than she's
got--something that she'll never get!

COOK. Oh! Master Johnny!

She goes up to JOHNNY and touches his forehead. He comes to himself
and hurries to the door, but suddenly MRS MARCH utters a little
feathery laugh. She stands up, swaying slightly. There is
something unusual and charming in her appearance, as if formality
had dropped from her.

MRS MARCH. [With a sort of delicate slow lack of perfect sobriety] I
see--it--all. You--can't--help--unless--you--love!

JOHNNY stops and looks round at her.

MR MARCH. [Moving a little towards her] Joan!

MRS MARCH. She--wants--to--be--loved. It's the way of the world.

MARY. [Turning] Mother!

MRS MARCH. You thought she wanted--to be saved. Silly! She--just--
wants--to--be--loved. Quite natural!

MR MARCH. Joan, what's happened to you?

MRS MARCH. [Smiling and nodding] See--people--as--they--are! Then you
won't be--disappointed. Don't--have--ideals! Have--vision--just simple
--vision!

MR MARCH. Your mother's not well.

MRS MARCH. [Passing her hand over her forehead] It's hot in here!

MR MARCH. Mary!

MARY throws open the French windows.

MRS MARCH. [Delightfully] The room's full of GAS. Open the windows!
Open! And let's