. They are divided from her by the hollow tree; she
is unseen. She stops.]

MRS. GWYN. I think he ought to be told about the selling; it 's not
fair.

LEVER. What on earth made him rush at the thing like that? I don't
understand that kind of man.

MRS. GWYN. [Impulsively.] I must tell him, Maurice; I can't let him
take the shares without----

[She puts her hand on his arm.]

[Joy turns, as if to go back whence she came, but stops once
more.]

LEVER. [Slowly and very quietly.] I did n't think you'd give me
away, Molly.

MRS. GWYN. I don't think I quite understand.

LEVER. If you tell the Colonel about this sale the poor old chap
will think me a man that you ought to have nothing to do with. Do
you want that?

[MRS. GWYN, giving her lover a long look, touches his sleeve.
JOY, slipping behind the hollow tree, has gone.]

You can't act in a case like this as if you 'd only a principle to
consider. It 's the--the special circumstances.

MRS. GWYN. [With a faint smile.] But you'll be glad to get the
money won't you?

LEVER. By George! if you're going to take it like this, Molly

MRS. GWYN. Don't!

LEVER. We may not sell after all, dear, we may find it turn out
trumps.

MRS. GWYN. [With a shiver.] I don't want to hear any more. I know
women don't understand. [Impulsively.] It's only that I can't bear
any one should think that you----

LEVER. [Distressed.] For goodness sake don't look like that, Molly!
Of course, I'll speak to your Uncle. I'll stop him somehow, even if
I have to make a fool of myself. I 'll do anything you want----

MRS. GWYN. I feel as if I were being smothered here.

LEVER. It 's only for one day.

MRS. GWYN. [With sudden tenderness.] It's not your fault, dear. I
ought to have known how it would be. Well, let's go in!

[She sets her lips, and walks towards the house with LEVER
following. But no sooner has she disappeared than JOY comes
running after; she stops, as though throwing down a challenge.
Her cheeks and ears are burning.]

JOY. Mother!

[After a moment MRS. GWYN reappears in the opening of the wall.]

MRS. GWYN. Oh! here you are!

JOY. [Breathlessly.] Yes.

MRS. GWYN. [Uncertainly.] Where--have you been? You look
dreadfully hot; have you been running?

JOY. Yes----no.

MRS. GWYN. [Looking at her fixedly.] What's the matter--you 're
trembling! [Softly.] Are n't y