I haven't heard, sir.

You reckon they'll go back, sir?

RALPH ARDSLEY.

Sure. Where's Gladys?

(_The Butler walks back toward the conservatory_)

Just tell her I asked about her.

BUTLER.

Yes, sir.

RALPH ARDSLEY.

Thank you.

(_He goes into the room, forward right. The Butler returns to the opposite room. All the people have now withdrawn with the exception of Mrs. Orr, who has come in, centre right, and who lingers about as though she were listening to the upper part of the walls. Later, Mrs. Egerton re-enters, forward right, and glances back into the room from which she has come, to satisfy herself that her guests are occupied. Seeing her, Mrs. Orr comes forward, shaking her head_)

MRS. EGERTON.

No?

MRS. ORR.

No.

MRS. EGERTON.

Nothing at all?

MRS. ORR.

Nothing at all.

MRS. EGERTON.

I never have been sure myself. Sometimes I've thought I heard it.

MRS. ORR.

I can understand How one could easily imagine it.

MRS. EGERTON.

If you could be here when the house is still, Alone----

MRS. ORR.

In certain moods, perhaps I should.

For certainly the trees seem most alive.

I never would have thought it possible To make a forest live and life go on In wood as it does here. 'Tis wonderful.

(_Mrs. Egerton glances across into the room, forward right, from which comes a sound of merriment_)

MRS. ORR.

The very squirrels upon the limbs--see there, The young one with the pine cone in its mouth.

And the faint far-awayness of the wood.

MRS. EGERTON.

(_Confidentially_)

Sylvia----

MRS. ORR.

Just now as the couple pa.s.sed Practising, I overheard the girl, 'It almost seems the real pines are here Dropping their needles on us while we dance.

As Lillian says, you feel them in your hair.'

Now, to my way of thinking, it would be Far easier to hear the pine trees sigh Than feel the needles.

MRS. EGERTON.

It was not the pines.

MRS. ORR.

You said a sighing.

(_Mrs. Egerton says something to her_)

Why, Mary Egerton!

How horrible!

MRS. EGERTON.

It worries me at times.

MRS. ORR.

You do not mean it! And the house just built!

You foolish dear.

MRS. EGERTON.

I know.