THE ENVOY [_rising to his knees_] I shall be only too glad to get back alive on any terms. If my legs would support me I'd just do a bunk straight for the ship. THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. No, no. Remember: your dignity-- THE ENVOY. Dignity be damned! I'm terrified. Take me away, for God's sake. THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN [_producing a brandy flask and taking the cap off_] Try some of this. It is still nearly full, thank goodness! THE ENVOY [_clutching it and drinking eagerly_] Ah! Thats better. [_He tries to drink again. Finding that he has emptied it, he hands it back to his father-in-law upside down_]. THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN [_taking it_] Great heavens! He has swallowed half-a-pint of neat brandy. [_Much perturbed, he screws the cap on again, and pockets the flask_]. THE ENVOY [_staggering to his feet; pulling a paper from his pocket; and speaking with boisterous confidence_] Get up, Molly. Up with you, Eth. _The two women rise to their knees._ THE ENVOY. What I want to ask is this. [_He refers to the paper_]. Ahem! Civilization has reached a crisis. We are at the parting of the ways. We stand on the brink of the Rubicon. Shall we take the plunge? Already a leaf has been torn out of the book of the Sybil. Shall we wait until the whole volume is consumed? On our right is the crater of the volcano: on our left the precipice. One false step, and we go down to annihilation dragging the whole human race with us. [_He pauses for breath_]. THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN [_recovering his spirits under the familiar stimulus of political oratory_] Hear, hear! ZOO. What are you raving about? Ask your question while you have the chance. What is it you want to know? THE ENVOY [_patronizing her in the manner of a Premier debating with a very young member of the Opposition_] A young woman asks me a question. I am always glad to see the young taking an interest in politics. It is an impatient question; but it is a practical question, an intelligent question. She asks why we seek to lift a corner of the veil that shrouds the future from our feeble vision. ZOO. I don't. I ask you to tell the oracle what you want, and not keep her sitting there all day. THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN [_warmly_] Order, order! ZOO. What does 'Order, order!' mean? THE ENVOY. I ask the august oracle to listen to my voice-- ZOO. You people seem never to tire of listening to your voices; but it doesn't amuse us. What do you want? THE ENVOY. I want, young woman, to be allowed to proceed without unseemly interruptions. _A low roll of thunder comes from the abyss._ THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. There! Even the oracle is indignant. [_To the Envoy_] Do not allow yourself to be put down by this lady's rude clamor, Ambrose. Take no notice. Proceed. THE ENVOY'S WIFE. I cant bear this much longer, Amby. Remember: I havn't had any brandy. HIS DAUGHTER [_trembling_] There are serpents curling in the vapor. I am afraid of the lightning. Finish it, Papa; or I shall die.