green-covered particulars of sale.  The audience are in effect public and bidders.  There is a door on the Left, level with the table.  Along the back wall, behind the table, are two raised benches with two steps up to them, such as billiard rooms often have, divided by a door in the middle of a wall, which is panelled in oak.  Late September sunlight is coming from a skylight (not visible) on to these seats.  The stage is empty when the curtain goes up, but DAWKERS, and Mrs. Hillcrist are just entering through the door at the back.

Dawker.  Be out of their way here, ma’am.  See old Hornblower with Chearlie?

     [He points down to the audience.]

Mrs. H. It begins at three, doesn’t it?

Dawker.  They won’t be over-punctual; there’s only the Centry selling.  There’s young Mrs. Hornblower with the other boy—­ [Pointing] over at the entrance.  I’ve got that chap I told you of down from town.

Mrs. H. Ah! make sure quite of her, Dawker.  Any mistake would be fatal.

Dawker. [Nodding] That’s right, ma’am.  Lot of peopled—­always spare time to watch an auction—­ever remark that?  The Duke’s agent’s here; shouldn’t be surprised if he chipped in.

Mrs. H. Where did you leave my husband?

Dawker.  With Miss Jill, in the courtyard.  He’s coming to you.  In case I miss him; tell him when I reach his limit to blow his nose if he wants me to go on; when he blows it a second time, I’ll stop for good.  Hope we shan’t get to that.  Old Hornblower doesn’t throw his money away.

Mrs. H. What limit did you settle?

Dawker.  Six thousand!

Mrs. H. That’s a fearful price.  Well, good luck to you, Dawker!

Dawker.  Good luck, ma’am.  I’ll go and see to that little matter of
Mrs. Chloe.  Never fear, we’ll do them is somehow.

     [He winks, lays his finger on the side of his nose, and goes
     out at the door.]

[Mrs. Hillcrist mounts the two steps, sits down Right of the door, and puts up a pair of long-handled glasses.  Through the door behind her come Chloe and Rolf.  She makes a sign for him to go, and shuts the door.]

Chloe. [At the foot of the steps in the gangway—­with a slightly common accent] Mrs. Hillcrist!

Mrs. H. [Not quite starting] I beg your pardon?

Chloe. [Again] Mrs. Hillcrist——­

Mrs. H. Well?

Chloe.  I never did you any harm.

Mrs. H. Did I ever say you did?

Chloe.  No; but you act as if I had.

Mrs. H. I’m not aware that I’ve acted at all—­as yet.  You are nothing to me, except as one of your family.

Chloe.  ’Tisn’t I that wants to spoil your home.