What it is to have an inky present ! Suffer with me , Mary ! Coming with me to the British Museum ? I want to have a look at the Assyrian reliefs . I have . I 've always found your mother extremely good at seeming not to notice things , Mary . The glad eye , Mary . I got it that first morning . No , no ! Johnny got it , and I got him getting it . What does one do with a glad eye that belongs to some one else ? Mr Bly 's eyes are not glad . The girl 's past makes it impossible to say anything to her . Come ! Get your hat on , Mary , or we sha n't make the Tube before the next shower . As you say , something — Ah ! Mr Bly ! MR BLY , in precisely the same case as a fortnight ago , with his pail and cloths , is coming in . Not at all . MR BLY crosses to the windows . Ah ! Er — in her work , I believe , coming on well . But the question is , Mr Bly , do — er — any of us ever really give satisfaction except to ourselves ? By George ! Just hits the mark . Perhaps in giving rein he did n't strike you . And the moral of that is —? We were talking of your daughter — I — I — But , apropos of your daughter , Mr Bly . I suppose none of us ever change our natures . But that 's what they 're paid for , Mr Bly . “ The man that hath not speculation in his soul . ” A deuced good one . Shake — He checks himself , but MR BLY has wiped his hand and extended it . While the shake is in progress MARY returns , and , having seen it to a safe conclusion , speaks . Excuse me , Mr Bly , I must away . He goes towards the door , and BLY dips his sponge . Mr Bly is like all the greater men I know — he can n't listen . Yes ; it 's a weakness we have — every three minutes . Very ! As they go out MR BLY pauses in his labours to catch , as it were , a philosophical reflection . He resumes the wiping of a pane , while quietly , behind him , FAITH comes in with a tray . She is dressed now in lilac-coloured linen , without a cap , and looks prettier than ever . She puts the tray down on the sideboard with a clap that attracts her father 's attention , and stands contemplating the debris on the table . Women 's shoes ! We could have made the Tube but for your shoes . Nasty spring weather , Faith . “ In the spring a young man 's fancy . ” I — I wanted to say something to you in a friendly way . FAITH regards him as he struggles on . Because I feel very friendly towards you . So you wo n't take what I say in bad part ? After what you 've been through , any man with a sense of chivalry — FAITH gives a little shrug . Yes , I know — but we do n't all support the Government . Ah I forgot . You saw no newspapers . But you ought to pick up the threads now . What paper does Cook take ? FAITH . “ COSY . ” “ Cosy ” ? I do n't seem — What are its politics ? What does Cook want with corsets ? By George ! Cook an idealist ! Let 's see !— er — I was speaking of chivalry . My son , you know — er — my son has got it . I started by being sorry for you . Look here , my child ! FAITH looks up at him .We want to do our best for you . Now , do n't spoil it by — Well , you know ! Just what your father said . The more I see of Mr Bly , the more wise I think him . What sort of bringing up did he give you ? FAITH smiles wryly and shrugs her shoulders . H 'm ! Here comes the sun again ! Of Course . You can always take what flowers you like — that is — if — er — I meant , if it does n't spoil the look of the table . We must all be artists in our professions , must n't we ? You might n't think it , but I 'm talking to you seriously . Well ! I got wet ; I must go and change . FAITH follows him with her eyes as he goes out , and resumes the clearing of the table . She has paused and is again smelling at the flower when she hears the door , and quickly resumes her work . It is MRS MARCH , who comes in and goes to the writing table , Left Back , without looking at FAITH . She sits there writing a cheque , while FAITH goes on clearing . I met Johnny using the most poetic language . What 's happened ? Is n't that rather coercive , Joan ? No . I was only saying to Mary — But I can quite see why Johnny — Certainly . Where 's the girl ? We must devise means — MRS MARCH smiles . The first thing is to see into them — and find out exactly — They may have heart trouble . It 's no good being hasty , Joan . Mary , go and see where Johnny is . Yes . Of course not . We must reason with him . One can n't always resist a kindly impulse , Joan . What does Mr Bly say to it ? The man 's a philosopher . Nonsense ! Good Lord ! Direct action ! My hat ! Johnny 's made a joke . This is serious . I wonder if Cook could do anything with him ? I Say ! And what did Cook —? Tt ! tt ! This is very awkward . COOK enters through the door which MARY has left open . Ah , Cook ! You 're back , then ? What 's to be done ? Gad ! It wants it ! We always seem to be eating . It 's humiliating to think we can n't exist without . He 's been there six hours ; even he can n't live on faith . I never in my life knew anything so ridiculous . Good ! That 's the first step towards seeing reason . He pours brandy into a liqueur glass from the decanter which stands between them . MRS MARCH puts the brandy to her lips and makes a little face , then swallows it down manfully . MARY gets up with the walnuts and goes . Silence . Gloom . Have n't you begun to see that your policy 's hopeless , Joan ? Come ! Tell the girl she can stay . If we make Johnny feel victorious — we can deal with him . It 's just personal pride — the curse of this world . Both you and Johnny are as stubborn as mules . Well ! This goes further than you think . It involves Johnny 's affection and respect for you . MRS MARCH nervously refills the little brandy glass , and again empties it , with a grimacing shudder . That 's better ! You 'll begin to see things presently . MARY re-enters . There you are ! I say ! Are you going to leave him up there with the girl and that inflammatory literature , all night ? Where 's your common sense , Joan ? MRS MARCH starts up , presses her hand over her brow , and sits down again . She is stumped . Good ! I 'll go myself . That 's not the way to go to work , Johnny . You must n't ask people to eat their words raw — like that . Great Scott ! You two have n't the faintest idea of how to conduct a parley . We have — to — er — explore every path to — find a way to peace . Joan , really ! Johnny , I know you have the best intentions , but really the proper people to help the young are the old — like — FAITH suddenly turns her eyes on him , and he goes on rather hurriedly — your mother . I 'm sure that she and I will be ready to stand by Faith . No , no ! But I hope — Of course , if nobody will modify their attitude — Johnny , you ought to be ashamed of yourself , andso ought you , Joan . Johnny , the terms of the Armistice did n't include this sort of thing . It was to be all open and above-board . Nonsense , Johnny ! Do n't carry a good thing too far ! Good Lord !Let her stay till Johnny 's in his right mind . He can have her — he can have her ! Let him come and take his daughter away . But MR BLY has entered behind him . He has a fixed expression , and speaks with a too perfect accuracy . If you want your daughter , you can take her . We have a certain sympathy with you , Mr Bly . Very well , Mr Bly ! See her home , carefully . Good-night ! Now , take her away ! Cook , go and open the front door for Mr Bly and his daughter . Now then , Mr Bly , take her along ! I came on this — er — friend of yours outside ; he 's been waiting for you some time , he says . Johnny ! I really can n't have this sort of thing in my house . Johnny , go upstairs ; and you two , please go away . For God 's sake , Johnny , stop this vulgar brawl ! God knows we do n't want to — I knew it . What now , Cook ? From the police ? He goes out , followed by COOK . A moment 's suspense . I should like you to say that in front of her . Soo —? Have you actual proof ? Inexpressibly painful ! Johnny ! Joan ! But MRS MARCH does not vary her smiling immobility ; FAITH draws a little nearer to the YOUNG MAN . MARY turns to the fire . I think you 'd better tell her anything you know . My goodness ! Now , Faith , consider ! This is the turning-point . I 've told you we 'll stand by you . Good God ! He stares in suspense at FAITH , whose face is a curious blend of fascination and live feeling . Not at all , not at all ! Joan ! Joan , what 's happened to you ? Your mother 's not well . Mary ! MARY throws open the French windows . Is this the Millennium , Cook ? Ah ! Neither up — nor down — but straight in the face ! Quite a thought , Cook ! Quite a thought !