Can you swim well, Mr Hand?

ROBERT

Splendidly. Like a stone.

ARCHIE

(Laughs.) Like a stone! (Pointing down.) Down that way?

ROBERT

(Pointing.) Yes, down; straight down. How do you say that over in Italy?

ARCHIE

That? Giù. (Pointing down and up.) That is giù and this is sù. Do you want to speak to my pappie?

ROBERT

Yes. I came to see him.

ARCHIE

(Going towards the study) I will tell him. He is in there, writing.

BEATRICE

(Calmly, looking at Robert.) No; he is out. He is gone to the post with some letters.

ROBERT

(Lightly.) O, never mind. I will wait if he is only gone to the post.

ARCHIE

But mamma is coming. (He glances towards the window.) Here she is!

(Archie runs out by the door on the left. Beatrice walks slowly towards the davenport. Robert remains standing. A short silence. Archie and Bertha come in through the door on the left. Bertha is a young woman of graceful build. She has dark grey eyes, patient in expression, and soft features. Her manner is cordial and selfpossessed. She wears a lavender dress and carries her cream gloves knotted round the handle of her sunshade.)

BERTHA

(Shaking hands.) Good evening, Miss Justice. We thought you were still down in Youghal.

BEATRICE

(Shaking hands.) Good evening, Mrs Rowan.

BERTHA

(Bows.) Good evening, Mr Hand.

ROBERT

(Bowing.) Good evening, signora! Just imagine, I didn't know either she was back till I found her here.

BERTHA

(To both.) Did you not come together?

BEATRICE

No. I came first. Mr Rowan was going out. He said you would be back any moment.

BERTHA

I'm sorry. If you had written or sent over word by the girl this morning...

BEATRICE

(Laughs nervously.) I arrived only an hour and a half ago. I thought of sending a telegram but it seemed too tragic.

BERTHA

Ah? Only now you arrived?

ROBERT

(Extending his arms, blandly.) I retire from public and private life. Her first cousin and a journalist, I know nothing of her movements.

BEATRICE

(Not directly to him.) My movements are not very interesting.

ROBERT

(In the same tone.) A lady's movements are always interesting.

BERTHA

But sit down, won't you? You must be very tired.

BEATRICE

(Quickly.) No, not at all. I just came for Archie's lesson.

BERTHA

I wouldn't hear of such a thing, Miss Justice, after your long journey.

ARCHIE

(Suddenly to Beatrice.) And, besides, you didn't bring the music.

BEATRICE

(A little confused.) That I forgot. But we have the old piece.

ROBERT

(Pinching Archie's ear.) You little scamp. You want to get off the lesson.

BERTHA

O, never mind the lesson. You must sit down and have a cup of tea now. (Going towards the door on the right.) I'll tell Brigid.

ARCHIE

I will, mamma. (He makes a movement to go.)

BEATRICE

No, please Mrs Rowan.