ANET. (With obvious relief.) Well, that's all right then! Now will
you drink this milk, please.

CARVE. I just wanted to tell you----

JANET. Will you drink this milk? (Pours out a glassful for him.)

(CARVE addresses himself to the milk.)

(JANET begins to put on her things.)

CARVE. But I say, what are you doing?

JANET. I'm going home.

CARVE. What? Now?

JANET. At once.

CARVE. But you can't leave me like this. I'm very ill.

JANET. Oh no, you aren't. You're very much better. Anyone can see that.
All you've got to do is to return to bed and stick to slops.

CARVE. And when shall you come back?

JANET. You might come down to see me one day at Putney.

CARVE. I shall be delighted to. But before that, won't you come here?

JANET. (After a pause.) I'll try and come the day after to-morrow.

CARVE. Why not to-morrow?

JANET. Well, a couple of days without me'll do you no harm. It's a
mistake to be in a hurry when you've got all your life in front of you.

CARVE. (After a pause.) Listen--have some tea before you go.

JANET. No. (Holds out her hand, smiling.) Good afternoon. Now do go to
bed.

CARVE. I haven't begun to thank you.

JANET. No--and I hope you won't begin.

CARVE. You're so sudden.

JANET. It's sudden or nothing.

CARVE. (Holding her hand.) I say--what can you see in me?

JANET. Well, if it comes to that--what can you see in me? (Withdrawing
her hand.)

CARVE. I--I don't know what it is.... Something.... (Lightly.) I
dunno! Everything!

JANET. That's too much. Good-bye! I'll come about this time the day
after to-morrow.

CARVE. Supposing I have a relapse?

JANET. (At door.) You won't if you do as I tell you.

CARVE. But supposing I do?

JANET. Well, you can always telegraph, can't you?

(Exit.)

(CARVE, after finishing milk, suddenly gets up and searches on
writing table: he then goes to the telephone.)

CARVE. (Into telephone.) Please send me up a telegraph form.

CURTAIN.

ACT III

SCENE I

Parlour in Janet's house in Putney. A perfectly ordinary suburban
interior of a small house; but comfortable. Table in centre. Door, R.,
up stage, leading to hall. Door, L., down stage, hading to kitchen
and back premises.

TIME.--Morning in early autumn. Rather more than two years have
elapsed.

Discovered--CARVE reading newspaper at breakfast-table. JANET
in an apron is hovering busily near him.

JANET. (Putting cigarettes