Act IV - Page 2

moves as if to go.)

CRAMPTON (miserably). No, no: let me alone, can't you? I've been
bullied enough: I've been tormented enough. I tell you I'll do my
best. But if that girl begins to talk to me like that and to look at
me like--- (He breaks off and buries his head in his hands.)

McCOMAS (relenting). There, there: it'll be all right, if you will
only bear and forbear. Come, pull yourself together: there's someone
coming. (Crampton, too dejected to care much, hardly changes his
attitude. Gloria enters from the garden; McComas goes to meet her at
the window; so that he can speak to her without being heard by
Crampton.) There he is, Miss Clandon. Be kind to him. I'll leave you
with him for a moment. (He goes into the garden. Gloria comes in and
strolls coolly down the middle of the room.)

CRAMPTON (looking round in alarm). Where's McComas?

GLORIA (listlessly, but not unsympathetically). Gone out---to leave
us together. Delicacy on his part, I suppose. (She stops beside him
and looks quaintly down at him.) Well, father?

CRAMPTON (a quaint jocosity breaking through his forlornness). Well,
daughter? (They look at one another for a moment, with a melancholy
sense of humor.)

GLORIA. Shake hands. (They shake hands.)

CRAMPTON (holding her hand). My dear: I'm afraid I spoke very
improperly of your mother this afternoon.

GLORIA. Oh, don't apologize. I was very high and mighty myself; but
I've come down since: oh, yes: I've been brought down. (She sits on the
floor beside his chair.)

CRAMPTON. What has happened to you, my child?

GLORIA. Oh, never mind. I was playing the part of my mother's
daughter then; but I'm not: I'm my father's daughter. (Looking at him
funnily.) That's a come down, isn't it?

CRAMPTON (angry). What! (Her odd expression does not alter. He
surrenders.) Well, yes, my dear: I suppose it is, I suppose it is.
(She nods sympathetically.) I'm afraid I'm sometimes a little
irritable; but I know what's right and reasonable all the time, even
when I don't act on it. Can you believe that?

GLORIA. Believe it! Why, that's myself---myself all over. I know
what's right and dignified and strong and noble, just as well as she
does; but oh, the things I do! the things I do! the things I let other
people do!!

CRAMPTON (a little grudgingly in spite of himself). As well as she
does? You mean your mother?

GLORIA (quickly). Yes, mother. (She turns to him on her knees and
seizes his hands.) Now listen. No treason to her: no word, no thought
against her. She is our superior---yours and mine---high heavens above
us. Is that agreed?

CRAMPTON. Yes, yes. Just as you please, my dear.

GLORIA (not satisfied, letting go