TREBELL.  Yes ... if they’d had to.

WEDGECROFT. [Unreasonably nervous, so he thinks.] My dear fellow, Horsham would have thought it was the shame and disgrace if you’d shot yourself after the inquest.  That’s the proper sentimental thing for you so-called strong men to do on like occasions.  Why, if your name were to come out to-morrow, your best meaning friends would be sending you pistols by post, requesting you to use them like a gentleman.  Horsham would grieve over ten dinner-tables in succession and then return to his philosophy.  One really mustn’t waste a life trying to shock polite politicians.  There’d even be a suspicion of swagger in it.

TREBELL.  Quite so ... the bomb that’s thrown at their feet must be something otherwise worthless.

      FRANCES comes in quickly, evidently in search of her brother.  Though
      she has not been crying, her eyes are wide with grief.

FRANCES.  Oh, Henry ...  I’m so glad you’re still up. [She notices WEDGECROFT.] How d’you do, Doctor?

TREBELL. [Doubling his mask of indifference.] Meistersinger’s over early.

FRANCES.  Is it?

TREBELL.  Not much past twelve yet.

FRANCES. [The little gibe lost on her.] It was Tristan to-night.  I’m quite upset.  I heard just as I was coming away ...  Amy O’Connell’s dead. [Both men hold their breath. TREBELL is the first to find control of his and give the cue.]

TREBELL.  Yes ...  Wedgecroft has just told me.

FRANCES.  She was only taken ill last week ... it’s so extraordinary. [She remembers the doctor.] Oh ... have you been attending her?

WEDGECROFT.  Yes.

FRANCES.  I hear there’s to be an inquest.

WEDGECROFT.  Yes.

FRANCES.  But what has been the matter?

TREBELL. [Sharply forestalling any answer.] You’ll know to-morrow.

FRANCES. [The little snub almost bewildering her.] Anything private?  I mean....

TREBELL.  No ...  I’ll tell you.  Don’t make Gilbert repeat a story twice.... 
He’s tired with a good day’s work.

WEDGECROFT.  Yes ...  I’ll be getting away.

      FRANCES never heeds this flash of a further meaning between the two
      men.

FRANCES.  And I meant to have gone to see her to-day.  Was the end very sudden?  Did her husband arrive in time?

WEDGECROFT.  Yes.

FRANCES.  They didn’t get on ... he’ll be frightfully upset.

      TREBELL resists a hideous temptation to laugh.

WEDGECROFT.  Good night, Trebell.

TREBELL.  Good night, Gilbert.  Many thanks.

      There is enough of a caress in TREBELL’S tone to turn FRANCES
      towards their friend, a little remorseful for treating him so
      casually, now as always.

FRANCES.  He’s always thanking you.  You’re always doing things for him.