Three plays: The Dover road, The truth about Blayds, The great Broxopp

Contents

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The Truth About Blayds .... 99 The Great Broxopp . ^ i.j . • 191

Cornell University Library

Foreword

THOSE who, having previously seen "The Dover Road," are now going to read it will find that Anne does not, after all, marry Mr. Latimer. They may, perhaps, assume that this is how I originally wrote the play, and that I was persuaded, against my better judgment, into a so-called happy ending which left Anne with the sound of wedding-bells in her ears. I owe it to Mr. McClintic, who produced the play so delightfully, to explain that such was not the case. I wrote it originally as he produced it ; but, even as I wrote, I felt that I did not want Anne married ; I was so much in love with her. To rescue her from Leonard was easy ; to save her from Nicholas was more difficult ; and, in an unguarded moment, while I was triumphing over Nicholas, Mr. Latimer got her. Dominic and I were both a little disappointed, but we said nothing. I knew that I should have another chance later on. "Wait," I said to the smiling Mr. Latimer, "until we get to rehearsals. Marry you ? Why, she doesn't even know your Christian name !" But I didn't think then that the first rehearsals would happen thousands of miles from Dover, and that I should not be there to save her. I expect Mr. Latimer knew. That is why he smiled. But of course once I got down to it, he

4 Foreword

stood no chance. It is the printed word which remains, and here in print we have her saved. However, Mr. Latimer still smiles. He always knew in his heart that he was too old for her. In fact, sometimes I think that he and Anne only pretended in order to frighten Dominic.

A. A. M.

The Original Cast of "The Dover Road"

The first performance on any stage was at the Bijou Theatre, New York City, on Friday afternoon, December 23, 1 92 1.

THE HOUSE Dominic, George Riddell The Staff, Phyllis Carrington

Latimer, Charles Cherry

The Play was produced by Guthrie McCHntic.

PEOPLE IN THE PLAY

THE HOUSE

Dominic

The Staff

Mr, Latimer

THE GUESTS

Leobtard

Anne

Eustasia

The Scene is the reception room of Mr. Latimer's house, a little way off the Dover Road. Act I. Evening.

Act I

What Mr. Latimer prefers to call the reception room of his house is really the hcdl. You come straight into it through the heavy oak front door. But this door is so "uifell built, sa well protected by a thick purple curtain, and the room so lifell warmed by central heating, thai none of the usual disadvantages of a hall on a November night, attaches to it. Just now, of course, all the curtains are drcpwn, so tliat the whole of this side of the hcdl is purple-hung. In the middle of the room, a little to the right is a mahogany table, cloth-less, laid for three. A beautiful blue bowl, filled with purple anemones, helps, Tvith the silver and the old cut glass, to decorate it. Over the whole room there is something of an Arabian-nightadventure air; Dulac might have had a hand in the designing of it. In the day time, perhaps, it it an ordinary hcdl, furnished a trifle freakishly, but in the night time one wonders what is going to happen next.

Dominic, tall, stout and grave, the major-domo of the house, in a butler's old-fashioned evening dress, comes in. He stands looking at the room to see that ail is as it should be, then walks to the table and gives a little touch to it here cmd there. He turns round and waits a moment. The Staff materialises suddenly — two footmen and two cham-bermaids. The men come from the left, the women from the right; over their clothes too Mr. Latimer has been a little freakish. They stand

in a line.

Dominic: The blue room in the East wing is ready?

The Men: Yes, Mr. Dominic.

Dominic: The white room in the West wing is ready ?

The Women: Yes, Mr. Dominic.

Dominic: {Taking out his watch and looking at it.) The procedure will be as before.

The Four: Yes, Mr. Dominic.

Dominic: See to it that I have no fault to find. That will do.

{They go out. He looks at his watch again and then follows the men. He is hardly out of the room, when a bell rings. He returns slowly, draws the curtain from the front door and opens it. Leonard, in fur-coat and cap, is seen standing outside. He is a big well-made man of about 35 — dark, with a little black tooth-brush moustache. When the door of ens he gets his first sight of the interior of the room and is evidently taken by surprise.)

Leonard: Oh — er — is this — er — ^an hotel? My chauffeur said — we've had an accident, been delayed on the way — he said that we could put up here — {He turns round and calls.) Here, Saunders! This can't be the place. {To Dominic.) Perhaps you could tell me

Anne: {From outside, invisible.) Saunders has gone, Leonard.

Leonard: {Turning round.) Gone! What the devil — {He plunges into the darkness.)

Dominic: Saunders was perfectly correct, my lord. This is a sort of hotel.

Anne: (Getting out of the car, but still invisible.) He went off as soon as you got out of the car. Leonard, are you sure ?

(She comes into the light; he is holding her arm. She is young, tall, pretty; cool and selfconfident in the ordinary way, but a little upset by the happenings of the night.)

Dominic: (To Leonard.) Saunders was perfectly correct, my lord. This is a sort of hotel.

Leonard: (Pusded and upset.) What the devil's happened to him? (He looks out into the darkness.)^

Dominic: Doubtless he has gone round to the garage to get the doors open. Won't your lordship

Leonard: You can put us up? Just for tonight. My — er — wife and myself

Dominic: If your lordship and her ladyship will come in (He waits for them»)

Leonard: (To Anne.) It's the best we can do, dear. I'm frightfully sorry about it, but, after all, what difference

Anne: (Gizdng him a look which mecms "Don't talk like this in front of hotel servants.") I daresay it will be quite comfortable. It's only for one night. (She com.es in, followed 'by Leonard.)

Dominic: Thank — ^you, my lady.

(He shuts and bolts the doors: then draws the curtains. There is an cdr of finality about it. Anne looks back at the noise of the bolts going home, with something of a start. They are locked in now for good. Leonard, his eye on the supper-table, is saying to himself, "Dashed rummy sort of hotel")

Dominic: Allow me, my lady. (He helps them off Tvith their coats.)

Leonard: You can give us something to eat?

Anne: I don't want anything, Leonard.

Leonard: Nonsense, dear.

Dominic: Supper will be served in five minutes, my lord.

Anne: {Suddenly.) Do you know who we are?

Domrinic: I have not that pleasure, my lady.

Anne: Then why do you call me 'my lady' ?

Leonard: {Disliking a scene.) My dear!

Anne: {Waiving back Leonard's protesting arm:) No, Leonard. {To Dominic.) Well?

Dominic: His lordship mentioned that your ladyship was his wife.

Anne: Y — ^yes . . . Then you know W« by sight ?

Leonard: (Complacently.) Well, my dear, that need not surprise you.

Dominic: I know his lordship's rank, my lady. Not his lordship's name.

Leonard: (Surprised.) My rank? How the devil

Dominic: Supper will be served in five minutes, my lady. (He boms and goes out.)

(There is silence for a little. They look at the table, at the room, at each other. Then Leonard says it aloud.)

Leonard: Dashed rummy sort of hotel!

Anne: (Coming closer cmd holding his arms.) Leonard, I don't like it.

Leonard: Pooh! Nonsense, dear.

The Dover Road ii

Anne: It almost seems as though they had expected us.

Leonard: (Lcmghing.) My dear child, how could they? In the ordinary way we should have been at Dover — ^why, almost at Calais by this time.

Anne: I know. {In distress.) Why aren't we?

Leonard: The car — Saunders, a fool of a chauffeur — a series of unfortunate accidents-

Anne: Do you often have these unfortunate accidents, Leonard?

Leonard: My dear Anne, you aren't suggesting that I've done this on purpose !

Anne: No, no. {She leaves him and goes amd sits down.) But why tonight of all nights ?

Leonard: Of course, it's damned annoying missing the boat, but we can get it tomorrow morning. We shall be in Paris tomorrow night.

Anne: Tomorrow night — but that makes such a difference. I hate every hour we spend together like this in England.

Leonard: Well, really, I don't see why

Anne: You must take it that I do, Leonard. I told you from the first that it was run-away or nothing with me; there was going to be no intrigue, no lies and pretences and evasions. And somehow it seems less — less sordid, if we begin our new life together in a new country. {With a little smite.) Perhaps the French for what we are doing is not quite so crude as the EngUsh . . . Yes, I know it's absurd of me, but there it is.

Leonard: {With a shrug.) Oh, well! {Taking out his case.) Do you mind a cigarette?

Anne: {Violently.) Oh, why do men o/zway^ want to smoke, even up to the moment when they're going to eat? Can't you breathe naturally for five minutes?

Leonard: (Sulkily, putting his case back.) I beg your pardon.

Anne: No, I beg yours.

Leonard : You're all to bits.

Anne: Nerves, I suppose.

Leonard: Nonsense! My Anne with nerves ? (Bitterly.) Now if it had been Eustasia

Anne: {Coldly.) Really, Leonard, I think we had better leave your wife out of the conversation.

Leonard: I beg your pardon.

Anne: {To herself.) Perhaps you're right. In a crisis we are all alike, we women.

Leonard: {Going over to her.) No, damn it, I won't have that. It's — it's blasphemy. Anne, my darling — {She stands up and he takes her hands.)

Anne: Oh! ... I aw different, aren't I?

Leonard: Darling!

Anne: I'm not a bit like — like anybody else, am I, not even when I'm cross ?

Leonard: Darling!

Anne: And you do love me ?

Leonard: Darling! {He wants to kiss her, but she stops him.)

Anne: No. Now you're going to smoke. {She settles him in his chair, takes a cigarette from, his case and puts it in his mouth.) I'll light it for you. Matches? {She holds out her hand for them.)

Dominic: {Who hens a way of being there when wanted.) Matches, my lady. {He hands them to her. They are both rather confused.)

Anne. Thank you.

Leonard: (Annoyed.) Thanks. {He gets up, takes the matches from Anne, and lights his cigarette.) {Dominic gives a professional touch to the table and goes out.)

Damn that fellow.

Anne: {Smiling.) After all, darling, he thinks I'm your wife ... Or don't wives light their husband's cigarettes ?

Leonard: I believe you're right, Anne. There's something odd about this place.

Anne: So you feel it now?

Leonard: What did he mean by saying he knew my rank, but not my name?

Anne: {Lightly.) Perhaps he looked inside your cap — like Sherlock Holmes — and saw the embroidered coronet.

Leonard: How do you mean ? There's nothing inside my cap.

Anne: No, darling. That was a joke.

Leonard: And the table laid. Only one table.

Anne: Yes, but it's for three. They didn't expect us.

Leonard: {Relieved.) So it is . . . It's probably a new idea in hotels — some new stunt of Harrods — or what's the fellow's name? — Lyons. A country-house hotel.

{Dominic comes in.)

By the way, Anne, what will you drink? {To Dominic.) Let me have the wine-list, will you?

Dom^inic: Bollinger 1906 has been ordered, my lord.

Leonard: Ordered?

Dominic: Mr. Latimer will be down in two minutes, my lady. He asks you to forgive him for not being here to receive you.

Leoncerd: Mr. Latimer? Who on earth's Mr. Latimer ?

Dominic: If you would wish to be shown your room, my lady

Anne: ( Who has not taken her eyes off him. i No, thank you.

Leonard: (Stepping forward.) Look here, my man, is this an hotel or have we come to a private house by mistake?

Dominic: A sort of hotel, my lord. I assure your lordship there is no mistake. Thank you, my lady. (He goes out.)

Anne: (Laughing half-hysterically as she sits down. ) Very original man, Harrod. Or is it Lyons ?

Leonard: Look here, I'm going to get to the bottom of this. (^He starts after Dominic.)

Anne: Why bother? Mr. Latimer will be here in two minutes.

Leonard: (^Turning back.) Yes, but who the devil's Mr. Latimer?

Anne: {With interest.) Leonard, do you always arrange something fascinating like this when you elope? I think it's so romantic of you. But don't you think that the mere running away is enough just at first? Leaving the fogs and the frets of England, the weariness and the coldness of it, and escaping together to the warm blue sun-filled South — isn't that romantic enough? Why drag in a mysterious and impossible inn, a mysterious and impossible Mr. Latimer? You should have kept them for afterwards; for the time when the poetry was wearing out, and we were beginning to get used to each other.

Leonard: My dear girl, what are you driving at? I say again — do you really think that I arranged all this?

Anne: {With a shrug.) Well, somebody did. {The two Footmen and the two Chambermaids come in and take up positions on each side of the table. They are followed by Dominic.)

Dominic: Mr. Latimer!

{Mr. Latimer comes in, Dominic and his Staff retire. )

Latimer: Good evening!

{He bows with an air. A middle-aged gentlewtan, dressed rather fantastically as regards his tie and his dinner-jacket and the flower in his buttonhole. )

Leonard: Good evening. Er

Latimer: You will forgive me for being announced in my own house, but I find that it saves so much trouble. If I had just come in and said, 'I am Mr. Latimer,' then you would have had to say, 'And I am — er — So-and-So, and this is — er — ' Exactly. I mean we can get on so much better without names. But of

course

Leonard: You will excuse me, sir, but

Latimer: {Going happily on.) But of course, as you were just going to say, we must call each other something. {Thoughtfully.) I think I shall call you Leonard. There is something about you — forgive the liberty — something Leonardish. {With a very sweet smile to Anne.) I am sure you agree with me.

Anne: I am wondering whether this is really happening, or whether I am dreaming it.

Latimer: (His back to Leonard.) And Leonard isn't wondering at all; he is just tapping his forehead with a great deal of expression.

(Leonard, who was doing this, stops in some confusion. )

Leonard: (Coldly.) I think we have had enough of this, Mr. Latimer. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. If you are not mad, then I will ask you for some other explanation of all this nonsense.

Latimer: (Sniffing at the flower in his buttonhole.) An impetuous character, Leonard. It must be so obvious to everybody else in the room that an explanation will be forthcoming. But why not a friendly explanation following a friendly supper?

Anne: Are we your guests ?

Latimer: Please.

Anne: Thank you.

Latimer: But there is still this question of names. Now we agreed about Leonard

Anne: (Looking at Kim fearlessly.) My name is Anne.

Latimer: Thank you. Miss Anne.

Leonard: (Awkwardly.) Er — my wife.

Latimer: Then I am tempted to leave out the "Miss."

Leonard: (Annoyed again.) Look here

Latimer: (Turning to him.) But there is something to look at, if I do, Leonard.

(The Staff comes in.)

Ah, supper. Will you sit here, Anne? (He goes to the head of the table, and indicates the chair on the right of him.) And you here, Leonard? (The chair on the left.) That's right. ( They all sit down.

Dominic and the Staff serve the supper. Five of them, so things go quickly.)

Latimer: "A little fish, a bird, a little sweet. Enough to drink, but not too much to eat." I composed that in my bath this morning. The wine has been waiting for you since 1906.

( They are all served with fish, and the wine has been poured out.)

Dominic, dismiss the Staff. We would be alone. (They are alone. He rises, glass in hand.)

My friends, I will give you a toast. (He raises his glass.) A Happy Ending!

Anne: (Lifting her glass.) A Happy Ending.

Latimer: You don't drink, Leonard. You would have the adventure end unhappily, as is the way of the modern novel?

Leonard: I don't understand the beginning of it, Mr. Latimer. I don't — you will forgive me for saying so — I don't see how you came into it. Who are you?

Anne: Our host, Leonard.

Leonard: So it seems, my dear. But in that case, how did we come here? My chauffeur told us that this was an hotel — your man assured me, when I asked, that it was an hotel, a sort of hotel. And now it seems that we are in a private house. Moreover, we seem to have been expected. And then again — if you will forgive me — it appears to be an unusual kind of house. I tell you frankly that I don't understand it.

Latimer: I see your difficulty, Leonard.

Leonard: (Stiffly.) Nor am I accustomed to being called Leonard by a perfect stranger.

Latimer: What you are saying for yourself is, "Who is this man Latimer? Is he known? Is he in the Stud Book? — I mean Debrett. Is he perhaps one of the Hammersmith Latimers, or does he belong to the Ealing Branch?"

Anne: {Eating — calmly.) What does it matter?

Latimer: Yes, but then you like the fish. Leonard doesn't.

Leonard: I have no fault to find with the fish. You have an excellent cook.

Latimer: {Gramety bowing.) I beg your pardon, I thank you.

(Dominic comes in.)

His lordship likes the fish.

Dominic: Thank you, sir. I will inform the cook. (He goes out.)

Anne: When you are giving us your tiresome explanations after supper, Mr. Latimer, I wish you would just add one more to them.

Latimer: But of course.

Anne: Your Mr. Dominic's appearances are so apt. How is it done ?

Latimer: (Pulling down his cuff.) Yes, I'll make a note of that. (He writes on it.) Dominic, — ^Apt appearance of.

( D ominic re-appears. ) Latimer: Admit the bird, Dominic.

(Dominic goes out.) Leonard: (Rising stiffly.) I'm afraid we shall have to be getting on now, Mr. Latimer . . . Anne, dear

. . . We are much obliged for your hospitality, but — er — I imagine we are not far from Dover

Latimer: On the Dover Road, certainly.

Leonard: Exactly. So if you would — er — have instructions given to my chauffeur — er — (^He hesitates as the Staff comes in.)

Latimer: Dominic, his lordship's glass is empty. He wishes to drink my health.

Dominic: I beg your pardon, my lord. (The glass is ailed.)

Latimer: And while he is up, just find his lordship a more comfortable chair. He has been a little uneasy on that one all through the fish.

Dominic: {Removing the chaAr.) I beg your pardon, my lord.

{A Servant approaches with another one.)

Laitimer: (Rising with his glass and drinking to Leonard.) Prosit! (He sits down, and Leonard mechanically sits down too.) Now for the bird. (To Anne.) I like these little ceremonies in between the courses. Don't you?

Anne: I'm liking my supper.

Latimer: I am so glad. (As Anne is helped.) I shot this bird myself. (He looks at it through kis glass.) What is it, Dominic?

Dominic: Poulet en casserole with mushrooms, sir.

Latimer: Poulet en casserole with mushrooms. I shot the mushrooms ... A large help for his lordship, Dominic. (To Leonard.) Let me introduce your chicken to you, Leonard. One of the Buff- Orpingtons. I daresay you know the family. His mother was a Wyandotte. He was just about to contract an alliance with one of the Rock girls, the Plymouth Rocks, when the accident happened.

(^They are alone again now, plates and glasses well ailed. Leonard, who has been waiting impatiently for the Staff to go, pushes back his chair and gets up.)

Latimer: Dear me ! Not a third chair, surely?

Leonard: Now look here, Mr. Latimer, this farce has gone on long enough. I do not propose to sit through a whole meal without some further explanation. Either we have that explanation now, or else — Anne, dear — or else we'll be getting on our way.

Latimer: (Thoughtfully.) Ah, but which is your way?

Leonard: Dover. My chauffeur seems to have got off the track a little, but if you can put us on to the Dover Road

Latimer: (To himself.) The Dover Road! The Dover Road! A dangerous road, my friends. And you're travelling in the dark.

Leonard: Really, Mr. Latimer, that needn't frighten us.

Anne: (Putting her hand on his arm.) What do you mean?

Latimer: A strange road, Anne, for you. A new untravelled road.

Leonard: Nonsense. She's often been this way before. Haven't you, dear?

Anne: (Shaking her head.) No . . , But I'm not frightened, Mr. Latimer.

(There is silence for a little. Then Dominic appears noiselessly.)

Latimer: Dominic, supper is over. His lordship loved the chicken — too well to eat it. He adored the mushrooms — in silence. Inform the cook.

Dominic: Yes, sir.

Latimer: (Offering his case to Anne) A cigarette?

Anne: No, thank you.

Latimer: You permit it?

Anne: Of course.

Latimer: Thank you.

Dominic: {To Leonard.) Cigar, my lord?

Leonard: Er — thanks.

Latimer: Well, shall we ?

( They get up, and move into more comfortable chairs, Latimer talking.)

Latimer: Which chair would you like, Anne? There? {She sits down.) That's right. Now then, Leonard, we want something especially comfortable for you. You are a little finicky about chairs if you don't mind my saying so . . . What about that one? Just try it and see how you like it.

{Leonard tries it, and sinks into it up to the neck.) Yes, I think you will be happy there. And I shall sit here. Now everything is ready. {They are alone again.)

Leonard: { With ces mMch dignity as is possible from that sort of chair.) I am waiting, Mr. Latimer.

Latimer: I am waiting, Leonard, for your questions.

Anne. Let me begin with one. {He turns to her.) Your table was laid for three. For whom were the other two places intended?

Latimer: For yourself and Leonard.

Anne: You expected us?

Latimer: Yes.

Anne: How did you know we were coming?

hammer: Saunders had his instructions to bring you.

Leonard: (Starting up from his chair — or trying to.) Saunders! My chauffeur! Do you mean to say _

Latimer: Let me help you up, Leonard. You have the wrong chair again. It is difficuh to be properly indignant in that one. {He helps him into a sitting position.) That's better. You were saying

Leonard: You mean to tell me that you had the audacity to bribe my chauffeur?

Latimer: No, no, Leonard. What I mean is that you had the foolhardiness to bribe my friend Saunders to be your chauffeur.

Leonard: Upon my word

'Anne: Who is Saunders?

Latimer: Saunders? He's Joseph's brother. Joseph was the gentleman in orange. I don't know if you noticed him. He helped you to fish.

Leonard: (Out of the chair at last.) How dare you interfere in my concerns in this way, sir!

Anne: Before you explain how you dare, Mr. Latimen, I should like to know why you are so interested in us. Who are you ?

Latimer: No more than Mr. Latimer. It is a purely impersonal interest which I take — ^and I take it just because you are going the Dover Road, my dear, and it is a dangerous road for a young girl to travel.

Anne: {Very cool, very proud.) I don't think I asked you to be interested in me.

Latimer: Nobody does, my dear. But I am. Very interested. In all my fellow travellers. It is my hobby.

Leonard: Anne! {He means, "Lefs get out of this." He makes a movement to the front door.)

Latimer: The door is locked, Leonard.

Leonard: (^Bending over him and putting his face very dose to Latimer's.) Ah! Then I will give you one minute in which to open it. {Dominic has come in.)

Latimer: Dominic, his lordship's face is just a little too close to mine. Could you — ^thank you.

{Leonard has started back on noticing Dominic. ) Coffee ? Excellent.

{The Footmen come round with coffee.) Anne: No, thank you.

Leonard: No, thanks. {He sits on cmother chair.)

Latimer: No, thank you. By the way, Dominic, did you go round to the Hospital this afternoon?

Dominic: Yes, sir. The young gentleman is getting on nicely. He was able to take a little bread-and-milk this morning.

Latimer: Ah, I'm glad. Nothing solid yet?

Dominic: No, sir. The jaw is still very tender. {He goes out. )

Latimer: {To Leonard.) He bumped it against my knuckles last week. An impetuous young fellow. He was running away with — dear me, I forget her name — I always forget names. I think he called her Pussy. She had several children. {Unconsciously he has shot his cuff, and sees suddenly the note he has made.) What's this? "Dominic. Apt appearance of." Ah, yes. {He turns to Anne.) It's very simple. A little fad of mine. There are bells everywhere in this room ;

in every chair, on the table, in the floor, wherever I am, I can press a bell for Dominic. He is always close at hand on reception-evenings. Yes.

Anne: That was a little display of force which you were giving us just now?

Latimer: {Apologetically.) Yes. I thought it better. Leonard is so impetuous. Joseph and Jacob were both amateur champions in their day. Dominic is a very heavy fall-er. He never has to fall on a man twice. If all this is quite understood at the beginning, it makes it so much easier.

Anne: {Getting up.) Mr. Latimer, I assure you that this is not a sudden freak of fancy, and that I know my own mind. I ask you, as a gentleman, to open the door.

Latimer: {Shaking his head.) I am afraid it is impossible, Anne.

{She shrugs her shoulders and sits down.)

Leonard: {Calm for the moment.) So we are kept here by force ?

Latimer: Need we insist upon it? Let us rather say that you have postponed your visit to France in order to spend a few days with a friend.

Leonard: I prefer to say force.

Latimer: {With a how.) I do not dictate your words to you. Your movements for the moment, yes. So let us say "force."

Leonard : We are prisoners in fact ?

Latimer: Within the limits of my house.

Leonard: And if my — my wife chooses to walk out of your front door tomorrow morning, your — ^your fellow-conspirators would lay hands on her and stop her?

Latimer: My dear Leonard, why should your — your wife want to walk out of the front door tomorrow? What would she want to do in the garden in November ? Do be reasonable.

Leonard: Suppose she wished to walk to the nearest police-station ?

Latimer : ( To Anne. ) Do you ?

Anne: (With a smile.) Could I?

Latimer: If you stood on Leonard's shoulders you might just reach the top of the wall. . . . Dominic tells me that they have lost the key of the gates. Very careless of them.

Leonard: Well, I'm — It's monstrous!

Anne: Yes, but we can't keep on saying that. Here we are apparently, and here we have to stay. But I still want to know very much why Mr. Latimer has this great desire for our company.

Leonard: You have the advantage of me now, sir, but you will not always have it. The time will come when I shall demand satisfaction for this insult.

Latimer: (With an air — rising and bowing.) My lord! Letters addressed to me at the Charing Cross Post Office will always be forwarded.

Leonard: (Slightly upset.) This gross insult to myself and — er — my wife.

Latimer: No, no, not your wife.

Leonard: How dare you!

Latimer: (In alarm.) Surely I haven't made a mistake. (To Anne.) You and he are running away together, aren't you ?

Leonard: (A step nearer.) Look here, sir

Anne: Oh, Leonard, what's the good? We aren't ashamed of it, are we? Yes, Mr. Latimer, we are running away together.

Latimer: Of course! Why not? Leonard, you aren't ashamed of it, are you?

Leonard: I object to this interference in my private affairs by a

Latimer: Yes, yes, but you've said all that. It's interfering of me, damnably interfering. But I am doing it because I want you both to be happy.