ever loved me as you did. Why, you gave yourself to me like a flower, to do anything I liked with. You were the prettiest of playthings, the most fascinating of small romances.…(Pulls out watch) Quarter to two! Must be strolling back to Hunstanton. Don’t suppose I shall see you there again. I’m sorry, I am, really. It’s been an amusing experience to have met amongst people of one’s own rank, and treated quite seriously too, one’s mistress, and one’s——°

Mrs Arbuthnot snatches up glove and strikes Lord Illingworth across the face with it. Lord Illingworth starts. He is dazed by the insult of his punishment. Then he controls himself, and goes to window and looks out at his son. Sighs and leaves the room

Mrs Arbuthnot (falls sobbing on the sofa) He would have said it. He would have said it.

Enter Gerald and Hester from the garden

Gerald Well, dear mother. You never came out after all. So we have come in to fetch you. Mother, you have not been crying?

Kneels down beside her

Mrs Arbuthnot My boy! My boy! My boy! Running her fingers through his hair

Hester (coming over) But you have two children now. You’ll let me be your daughter?

Mrs Arbuthnot (looking up) Would you choose me for a mother?

Hester You of all women I have ever known.

They move towards the door leading into garden with their arms round each other’s waists. Gerald goes to table L.C. for his hat. On turning round he sees Lord Illingworth’s glove lying on the floor, and picks it up°

Gerald Hallo, mother, whose glove is this? You have had a visitor. Who was it?

Mrs Arbuthnot (turning round) Oh! no one. No one in particular. A man of no importance.

Curtain