Chief gem: [Imitating] "We must show Impudence at last that
Dignity is not asleep!"

MORE. [Moving out on to the terrace] Nice quiet night!

STEEL. This to the Cottage Hospital--shall I say you will preside?

MORE. No.

STEEL writes; then looking up and seeing that MORE is no longer
there, he goes to the window, looks to right and left, returns
to the bureau, and is about to sit down again when a thought
seems to strike him with consternation. He goes again to the
window. Then snatching up his hat, he passes hurriedly out
along the terrace. As he vanishes, KATHERINE comes in from the
hall. After looking out on to the terrace she goes to the bay
window; stands there listening; then comes restlessly back into
the room. OLIVE, creeping quietly from behind the curtain,
clasps her round the waist.

KATHERINE. O my darling! How you startled me! What are you doing
down here, you wicked little sinner!

OLIVE. I explained all that to Daddy. We needn't go into it again,
need we?

KATHERINE. Where is Daddy?

OLIVE. Gone.

KATHERINE. When?

OLIVE. Oh! only just, and Mr. Steel went after him like a rabbit.
[The music stops] They haven't been paid, you know.

KATHERINE. Now, go up at once. I can't think how you got down here.

OLIVE. I can. [Wheedling] If you pay them, Mummy, they're sure to
play another.

KATHERINE. Well, give them that! One more only.

She gives OLIVE a coin, who runs with it to the bay window,
opens the aide casement, and calls to the musicians.

OLIVE. Catch, please! And would you play just one more?

She returns from the window, and seeing her mother lost in
thought, rubs herself against her.

OLIVE. Have you got an ache?

KATHARINE. Right through me, darling!

OLIVE. Oh!

[The musicians strike up a dance.]

OLIVE. Oh! Mummy! I must just dance!

She kicks off her lisle blue shoes, and begins dancing. While
she is capering HUBERT comes in from the hall. He stands
watching his little niece for a minute, and KATHERINE looks at
him.

HUBERT. Stephen gone!

KATHERINE. Yes--stop, Olive!

OLIVE. Are you good at my sort of dancing, Uncle?

HUBERT. Yes, chick--awfully!

KATHERINE. Now, Olive!

The musicians have suddenly broken off in the middle of a bar.
From the street comes the noise of distant shouting.

OLIVE. Listen, Uncle! Isn