Volume Ii Part 17 (1/2)

CHRISTINE. It's ridiculous--monstrous! It's fantastic!

HAROLD. [Holding up his hand] There's his horse going round. He's in!

They turn from listening to the sound, to see LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE coming from the billiard-room. She is very pale. They all rise and DOT puts an arm round her; while KEITH pushes forward his chair. JOAN and LATTER too have come stealing back.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. Thank you, Ronny!

[She sits down.]

DOT. Mother, you're s.h.i.+vering! Shall I get you a fur?

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. No, thanks, dear!

DOT. [In a low voice] Play up, mother darling!

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. [Straightening herself] What sort of a run, Ronny?

KEITH. Quite fair, M'm. Brazier's to Caffyn's d.y.k.e, good straight line.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. And the young horse?

KEITH. Carries his ears in your mouth a bit, that's all. [Putting his hand on her shoulder] Cheer up, Mem-Sahib!

CHRISTINE. Mother, must anything be said to father? Ronny thinks it all depends on her. Can't you use your influence? [LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE shakes her head.]

CHRISTINE. But, mother, it's desperate.

DOT. Shut up, Chris! Of course mother can't. We simply couldn't beg her to let us off!

CHRISTINE. There must be some way. What do you think in your heart, mother?

DOT. Leave mother alone!

CHRISTINE. It must be faced, now or never.

DOT. [In a low voice] Haven't you any self-respect?

CHRISTINE. We shall be the laughing-stock of the whole county. Oh!

mother do speak to her! You know it'll be misery for both of them.

[LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE bows her head] Well, then? [LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE shakes her head.]

CHRISTINE. Not even for Bill's sake?

DOT. Chris!

CHRISTINE. Well, for heaven's sake, speak to Bill again, mother! We ought all to go on our knees to him.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. He's with your father now.

HAROLD. Poor old Bill!

CHRISTINE. [Pa.s.sionately] He didn't think of us! That wretched girl!