There wasn’t an accident to the eight-fifteen.  It got safely to London just ten years ago.

MARY

Why, nor there was.

JOHN

You see how groundless your fears are.  I shall catch that train, and all the rest will happen the same as before.  Just think Mary, all those old days again.  I wish I could take you with me.  But you soon will be.  But just think of the old days coming back again.  Hampton Court again and Kew, and Richmond Park again with all the May.  And that bun you bought, and the corked ginger-beer, and those birds singing and the ’bus past Isleworth.  O, Mary, you wouldn’t grudge me that?

MARY

Well, well then all right, John.

JOHN

And you will remember there wasn’t an accident, won’t you?

Mary [resignedly, sadly]

O, yes, John.  And you won’t try to get rich or do anything silly, will you?

JOHN

No, Mary.  I only want to catch that train.  I’m content with the rest.  The same things must happen, and they must lead me the same way, to you, Mary.  Good night, now, dear.

MARY

Good night?

JOHN

I shall stay here on the sofa holding the crystal and thinking.  Then I’ll have a biscuit and start at seven.

MARY

Thinking, John?  What about?

JOHN

Getting it clear in my mind what I want to do.  That one thing and the rest the same.  There must be no mistakes.

Mary [sadly]

Good night, John.

JOHN

Have supper ready at eleven.

MARY

Very well, John.
[Exit.]

John [on the sofa, after a moment or two]

I’ll catch that infernal train in spite of him.

[He takes the crystal and closes it up in the palm of his left hand.]

I wish to go back ten years, two weeks and a day, at, at—­8.10 a.m. to-morrow; 8.10 a.m. to-morrow, 8.10.

[Re-enter Mary in doorway.]

MARY

John!  John!  You are sure he did get
his fifty pounds?

JOHN

Yes.  Didn’t he come to thank me for the money?

MARY

You are sure it wasn’t ten shillings?

JOHN