Richard
[Gazing again at the drawing, calmly, almost gaily.] He will help me, perhaps, my smiling handsome father.
[A knock is heard at the hall door on the left.]
Richard
[Suddenly.] No, no. Not the smiler, Miss Justice. The old mother. It is her spirit I need. I am going.
Beatrice
Someone knocked. They have come back.
Richard
No, Bertha has a key. It is he. At least, I am going, whoever it is.
[He goes out quickly on the left and comes back at once with his straw hat in his hand.]
Beatrice
He? Who?
Richard
O, probably Robert. I am going out through the garden. I cannot see him now. Say I have gone to the post. Goodbye.
Beatrice
[With growing alarm.] It is Robert you do not wish to see?
Richard
[Quietly.] For the moment, yes. This talk has upset me. Ask him to wait.
Beatrice
You will come back?
Richard
Please God.
