ughing
in the world's face, or--or having it laugh in mine perhaps.

MRS. WOLTON. What you need now as you did in the beginning is a good
husband--like mine was.

MRS. LORRIMER. Good men don't grow on bushes, and besides, good men
don't seem to care about me.

MRS. WOLTON. I know just the man, and I believe he's been in love with
you for years, though he may not know it himself! [MRS. LORRIMER
_looks at her questioningly._ MRS. WOLTON _goes to her and, putting
her arm around her neck, whispers in her ear._] I want you for a
_sister_-in-law.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Embarrassed, pleased._] Mrs. Wolton!

MRS. WOLTON. Call me "Laura," and I shall feel as if matters had
progressed a little. [_Enter_ DAWSON--_suddenly and unceremoniously.
Both women start slightly and exchange a quick, covert, meaning
glance. Rise._

DAWSON. Ah, Laura--I attended to that for you at once. Has she come?

MRS. WOLTON. Yes, she's upstairs.

DAWSON. Good. [MRS. LORRIMER _coughs_.] Mrs. Lorrimer-- [_Shaking her
hand._] I have followed you here--they told me at your house.

MRS. WOLTON. [_Rather hopefully._] You want to see Mrs. Lorrimer?

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Very quickly, aside to_ MRS. WOLTON _with humour._]
Say "Emily"--that may help a little, too!

MRS. WOLTON. You want to see Emily?

DAWSON. [_A momentary surprise at the name._] Emily, sweet
name--er--yes, if you will allow me, alone. [_Goes right, takes out
handkerchief, and mops brow._

MRS. WOLTON. Alone!--very well! [_Aside to_ MRS. LORRIMER.] I'd no
idea it would come so soon. It must be _that_.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Blushing._] No, no, it's something else-- [_Believing
though that it is._

MRS. WOLTON. [_Still aside._] One thing delights me, you're as much in
love as he is-- [_Aloud._] Good-bye, _Emily_.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Aloud, with emphasis._] Good-by, _Laura_! [MRS.
WOLTON _exits_.

DAWSON. Mrs. Lorrimer-- [_Crosses centre._] I want to speak to you on
a matter of the greatest privacy.

MRS. LORRIMER. Yes. [_Very quietly._

DAWSON. You are the only woman in the world who can help me.

MRS. LORRIMER. [_Seriously._] I consider that a true compliment, Mr.
Dawson.

DAWSON. I hesitate because I do not know if I have the right to ask
you to share my secret with me.

MRS. LORRIMER. As far as I am concerned, I _give_ you that right.

DAWSON. You will help me at no matter what inconvenience to yourself?

MRS. LORRIMER. Yes--but I may not--er--consider it an "inconvenience"
to