GLADYS EGERTON.

Yes.

(_Dances_)

Mother, I'm sure Something has happened to him.

MRS. EGERTON.

Don't, my child, Don't say that.

GLADYS EGERTON.

(_Mysteriously_)

Why?

MRS. EGERTON.

Go, child; people are watching us.

GLADYS EGERTON.

_I_ know why! _I_ know why!

(_Dances_)

Let go! let go!

MRS. EGERTON.

And please tell Donald that I'm waiting for him.

GLADYS EGERTON.

You're going after flowers, mother; _I_ know.

MRS. EGERTON.

Flowers, my child? What for?

GLADYS EGERTON.

For Harry's grave.

MRS. EGERTON.

Why Gladys, Gladys Egerton!

GLADYS EGERTON.

(_Whirling back into the main hall_)

_I_ know.

(_She disappears into the conservatory, left. Alone, Mrs. Egerton stands a pathetic figure. She walks back into the deserted hall and stops and listens as though to the upper part of the walls. She then turns slowly and comes forward again. George Egerton enters quickly from the conservatory_)

GEORGE EGERTON.

Mother!

MRS. EGERTON.

Yes, George.

GEORGE EGERTON.

This is disgraceful, mother.

MRS. EGERTON.

I cannot help it, George.

GEORGE EGERTON.

Where did he go?

MRS. EGERTON.

I've told you, George. Now please don't bother me.

GEORGE EGERTON.

People are whispering.

MRS. EGERTON.

But what can I do?

GEORGE EGERTON.

Call to them that he's up in bed with fever, Or say that he was brought home from the river drowned.

MRS. EGERTON.

(_Calling aloud_)

It's none of your business, people! Harry's my son.