Part 44

GEOFFREY. (He rises.) I will see what can be done.

MRS. CHINN. Thank you, sir.

GEOFFREY. (Half-way, he turns.) When does the next boat sail—for Canada?

MRS. CHINN. To-morrow night, sir, from Glasgow. I have booked his passage.

GEOFFREY. (With a smile.) You seem to have taken everything for granted.

MRS. CHINN. You see, sir, it’s the disgrace. All the others are doing so well. It would upset them so.

(He goes out.)

(There is a moment.)

(ANNYS enters. She is wearing her outdoor things.)

ANNYS. Mrs. Chinn!

MRS. CHINN. (She has risen; she curtseys.) Good evening, ma’am.

ANNYS. (She is taking off her hat.) Nothing wrong, is there?

MRS. CHINN. My boy, ma’am, my youngest, has been getting into trouble.

ANNYS. (She pauses, her hat in her hand.) They will, won’t they? It’s nothing serious, I hope?

MRS. CHINN. I think it will be all right, ma’am, thanks to your good gentleman.

ANNYS. (She lays aside her hat.) You have had a good many children, haven’t you, Mrs. Chinn?

MRS. CHINN. Ten altogether, ma’am; six living.

ANNYS. Can one love ten, all at once?

(The cloak has fallen aside. MRS. CHINN is a much experienced lady.)

MRS. CHINN. Just as many as come, dear. God sends the love with them.

(There is a moment; the two women are very close to one another. Then ANNYS gives a little cry and somehow their arms are round one another.)

(She mothers her into the easy chair above the fire; places a footstool under her feet.) You have your cry out, dearie, it will do you good.

ANNYS. You look so strong and great.

MRS. CHINN. It’s the tears, dearie. (She arranges the foot-stool.) You keep your feet up.

(The handle of the door is heard. MRS. CHINN is standing beside her own chair. She is putting back her handkerchief into her bag.)

(GEOFFREY re-enters.)

(ANNYS is hidden in the easy chair. He does not see her.)

GEOFFREY. Well, Mrs. Chinn, an exhaustive search for the accused will be commenced—next week.