Janet. (Smiling.) Now do listen, darling.  Let’s go away.  We can’t stop here.  This Ebag case is getting more and more on your nerves, and on mine too.  I’m sure that’s what’s the matter with us.  What it’ll be next week when the trial comes on, I don’t know—­upon my soul I don’t.  It’s all very well for you to refuse to see callers and never go out.  But I can tell you one thing—­we shall have those newspaper people on the roof in a day or two, and looking down the chimney to see how I lay the fire.  Lawyers are nothing to them.  Do you know—­no you don’t, because I didn’t want you to be upset—­last night’s milk was brought by a journalist—­with a camera.  They’re beginning to bribe the tradesmen.  I tremble to think what will be in this morning’s papers.

Carve. (Trying to make light of it.) Oh, nothing will upset me now.  But you might let me know at once if the editor of the Spectator calls round with the bread.

Janet.  And I’ll tell you another thing.  That Mr. Horning—­you know the breathless man on the Evening Courier that came to the Grand Babylon—­he’s taken lodgings opposite—­arrived last night.

Carve.  Oh, for a machine gun—­one simple little machine gun!

     (Exit Janet, L.)

     She immediately returns with a tray containing bread, etc., and a
     toasting-fork.

Janet.  So I thought if we just vanished—­

Carve.  It’s too late—­I’ve had the subpoena.  If I hooked it, everybody would say I was an adventurer.

Janet.  We could come back for the trial.

Carve.  We should be followed.

Janet.  Not if we start now.

Carve.  Now?

Janet.  Yes, now!  The back door.  Before it gets light.

Carve.  Creep away in the dark!  No!  I’ll go through with the thing.

Janet.  Well, I shall travel alone, then.  Here’s my bunch of keys.  I’ll just explain to you where everything is.  I daresay Mrs. Simpson will come in and clean up.  She’s not bad, as charwomen go.

Carve.  Jane!

Janet.  Well!

Carve.  You’re taking an unfair advantage of me.

Janet. (Putting tea leaves in teapot.) What if I am?

Carve.  You’re only a woman after all....  And I’d thought so highly of you!

Janet. (Sweetly.) Then you’ll come.  Better brush yourself up first.

Carve.  What time is it?

Janet. (Looking at clock.) Seven o’clock.

Carve.  Where do you mean to drag me to?

Janet.  Well, what about this Continent of yours that I’ve heard so much of?

Carve.  There’s a train from Victoria at 8.30.

Janet.  Very well then.  We’ll have another breakfast at Victoria.

Carve.  And the cab?