turns to face FIZZY. FIZZY steps into the room and looks at the two women. The cigarette is still dangling from the corner of his mouth. He takes it out, grins, and then puts it back again

-- 15 --

FIZZY FRY

To MARY HORTON Did you call me, mum?

MARY HORTON

In the grand manner

Yes, yes. Some ice tea -- and some cakes -- and at once.

FIZZY FRY

Puzzled

Tea, Mrs. Horton? But Mrs. Horton, it's Sunday. There ain't any tea. The cook's gone. There ain't even the girls here. They'll all be gone all afternoon.

MARY HORTON

Still being imperious

Make it yourself then and at once. Bring it here.

FIZZY FRY But there ain't any ice for no tea.

MARY HORTON

Going over to him, half pushing him through the door

Get some then. Go to the drug store. Go anywhere. Do as I tell you. Hurry now.

She pushes FIZZY through the door and turns to MABEL. Laughs

Such people, Mabel -- so stupid, you can't do anything with them. But, Mabel, I do so admire independent, intelligent women like you. I so admire people you can depend on -- in any situation -- to do the right thing.

She walks over to MABEL. She keeps on talking

Most people are such a mess. I so admire people who won't let themselves get into a mess.

-- 16 --

MABEL CLARK

Gets again to her feet

Mrs. Horton, I can't stay here. I must go. I don't feel very well.

MARY HORTON runs over to her and puts an arm affectionately about her waist

MARY HORTON But no, Mabel, not yet. Listen. There, there. I've worried you. I've talked too much and this is your first

visit to me. And, oh dear, I did have something I wanted to say to you.

The two women are now standing and MARY HORTON takes her arm from about MABEL'S waist

Why, look what I was doing. I had my arm about your waist. Why, I did want to talk to you but it's not so important. It is so foolish -- there has been some gossip -- you see some one came to me with an absurd tale -- about you and my boy Harry.

She pats MABEL on the shoulder and steps a little away from her

MABEL CLARK

Drawing herself up

Mrs. Horton, I must go. I don't care what people say. I didn't come here to be cross-examined.

MARY HORTON

Interrupting, clapping her hands together like a child

There, there, that's it, that's why I asked you to come. Oh, I'm so glad I wasn't mistaken about you. I knew what you were. I knew you were a free, proud, independent woman.

She grows suddenly confidential and talks rapidly, MABEL all the time looking more frightened and helpless. Again she half forces MABEL to sit

You see, Mabel, when I was a young and beautiful woman, as you are now, there was a tale all over town about me. It was just such a silly tale as this one about you and Harry. He was a sweet boy, too -- just as Harry is. He and I were such friends.

MARY HORTON'S voice drops and she speaks softly. MABEL CLARK is altogether confused now and sits on the edge of the chair, looking frightened. MARY stands before her. MARY speaks

You see, Mabel, we -- that boy and me … we were really friends. He was such a sweet boy, a dreamy one, just like my Harry. Really I suppose I was half in love with him. I wanted to have a son like that boy. That must have been it. It touched another side of me, you see, Mabel. I knew, oh, I knew so well, that it was just that way between you and Harry. Then people began gossiping about us, just as they are now doing about you and Harry.