Nora.  I—­[her tears choke her; but the keeps up appearances desperately].

Larry [quite unconscious of his cruelty].  In a week or so we shall be quite old friends again.  Meanwhile, as I feel that I am not making myself particularly entertaining, I’ll take myself off.  Tell Tom I’ve gone for a stroll over the hill.

Nora.  You seem very fond of Tom, as you call him.

Larry [the triviality going suddenly out of his voice].  Yes I’m fond of Tom.

Nora.  Oh, well, don’t let me keep you from him.

Larry.  I know quite well that my departure will be a relief.  Rather a failure, this first meeting after eighteen years, eh?  Well, never mind:  these great sentimental events always are failures; and now the worst of it’s over anyhow. [He goes out through the garden door].

Nora, left alone, struggles wildly to save herself from breaking down, and then drops her face on the table and gives way to a convulsion of crying.  Her sobs shake her so that she can hear nothing; and she has no suspicion that she is no longer alone until her head and breast are raised by Broadbent, who, returning newly washed and combed through the inner door, has seen her condition, first with surprise and concern, and then with an emotional disturbance that quite upsets him.

Broadbent.  Miss Reilly.  Miss Reilly.  What’s the matter?  Don’t cry:  I can’t stand it:  you mustn’t cry. [She makes a choked effort to speak, so painful that he continues with impulsive sympathy] No:  don’t try to speak:  it’s all right now.  Have your cry out:  never mind me:  trust me. [Gathering her to him, and babbling consolatorily] Cry on my chest:  the only really comfortable place for a woman to cry is a man’s chest:  a real man, a real friend.  A good broad chest, eh? not less than forty-two inches—­no:  don’t fuss:  never mind the conventions:  we’re two friends, aren’t we?  Come now, come, come!  It’s all right and comfortable and happy now, isn’t it?

Nora [through her tears].  Let me go.  I want me hankerchief.

Broadbent [holding her with one arm and producing a large silk handkerchief from his breast pocket].  Here’s a handkerchief.  Let me [he dabs her tears dry with it].  Never mind your own:  it’s too small:  it’s one of those wretched little cambric handkerchiefs—­

Nora [sobbing].  Indeed it’s a common cotton one.

Broadbent.  Of course it’s a common cotton one—­silly little cotton one—­not good enough for the dear eyes of Nora Cryna—­

Nora [spluttering into a hysterical laugh and clutching him convulsively with her fingers while she tries to stifle her laughter against his collar bone].  Oh don’t make me laugh:  please don’t make me laugh.

Broadbent [terrified].  I didn’t mean to, on my soul.  What is it?  What is it?

Nora.  Nora Creena, Nora Creena.