FORTUNE retires.]

AMOS. [To LUCAS, sternly.] Is my sister still here, may I ask? [LUCAS
looks to AGNES interrogatively. She inclines her head.]

AMOS. I should like her to know that I am waiting for her. [AGNES goes
out.]

LUCAS. [To AMOS.] Pray excuse me.

[AMOS draws back. ST. OLPHERTS passes out. At the door, LUCAS pauses,
and bows slightly to AMOS, who returns his bow in the same fashion;
then LUCAS follows ST. OLPHERTS. GERTRUDE enters, wearing her hat and
mantle. AGNES follows; her movements are unsteady, and there is a wild
look in her eyes.]

GERTRUDE. You've come to fetch me, Amos? [He assents by a nod.]

AMOS. [To AGNES.] I'm sorry to learn from Dr. Kirke that you've been
ill. I hope you're better.

AGNES. [Turning away, GERTRUDE watching her.] Thank you, I am quite
well.

AMOS. [Gruffly.] Are you ready, Gertrude?

GERTRUDE. No, dear, not yet. I want you to help me.

AMOS. In what way?

GERTRUDE. I want you to join me in persuading Mrs. Ebbsmith--my
friend, Mrs. Ebbsmith--to come to Ketherick with me.

AMOS. My dear sister--!

GERTRUDE. [Firmly.] Please, Amos!

AGNES. Stop a moment! Mr. Winterfield, your sister doesn't in the least
understand how matters are with me. I am returning to England, but with
Mr. Cleeve. [Recklessly.] Oh, you'd hear of it eventually! He is
reconciled to his wife.

GERTRUDE. Oh--! Then, surely, you--!

AGNES. No. The reconciliation goes no further than mere outward
appearances. He relies upon me as much as ever. [Beating her hands
together passionately.] He can't spare me--can't spare me!

AMOS. [In a low voice to GERTRUDE.] Are you satisfied?

GERTRUDE. I suspected something of the kind. [Going to AGNES, gripping
her wrist tightly.] Pull yourself out of the mud! Get up out of the
mud!

AGNES. I have no will to--no desire to!

GERTRUDE. You mad thing!

AGNES. [Releasing herself, facing GERTRUDE and AMOS.] You're only
breaking in upon my hour.

GERTRUDE. Your hour--?

AGNES. [Waving them away.] I ask you to go--to go! [GERTRUDE returns
to AMOS.]

AMOS. My dear Gertrude, you see what our position is here. If Mrs.
Ebbsmith asks for our help it is our duty to give it.

GERTRUDE. It is especially my duty, Amos.

AMOS. And I should have thought it especially mine. However, Mrs.
Ebbsmith appears to firmly decline our help. And at this point, I
confess, I would rather you left it--you, at least.

GERTRUDE. You would rather I left it--I, the virtuous, u