TENNANT. Yes. I'm going to leave England--and so, you see, I've got to leave here--your place. CHAR. Leave England? Got a crib? TENNANT. No, nothing. CHAR. What are you going for then? TENNANT. Because I'm sick of it. CHAR. So am I, and so are others. Do you mean you are just going out because you want a change? TENNANT. That's about it. I've had enough of grind. CHAR. Well, perhaps you'll get grind somewhere else. TENNANT. It'll be a change of grind then. That's something. CHAR. Canada? TENNANT. No, Australia. CHAR. Phew! That's a long shot. Got any friends there? TENNANT. No. CHAR. It's a bit risky, isn't it? TENNANT. Of course it's risky. But who wouldn't have a little risk instead of that beastly hole every day for years? Scratch, scratch, scratch, and nothing in the end, mind you? CHAR. [_ironically._] You might become a junior partner. TENNANT. [_ignoring the remark._] Suppose I stay there. They'll raise the screw every year till I get what they think is enough for me. Then you just stick. I suppose I should marry and have a little house somewhere, and grind on. CHAR. [_looking round._] Like me. _LILY heard singing off R._ TENNANT. No offence, old chap. It's all right for some. It suits you. You're used to it. I want to see things a bit before I settle. _CHARLEY is silent. His pipe has gone out and he is staring at the floor._ So I thought I'd go the whole plunge. I've got a little cash, of course, so I shan't starve at first, anyhow. _CHARLEY makes no remark. TENNANT becomes apologetic._ I'm--I feel a bit of a beast--but the fact is--I--it was decided in a hurry--I--er-- _CHARLEY looks up._ I'm going on Monday. CHAR. On Monday! Why, that's the day after tomorrow. TENNANT. Yes, I know. It was like this. I heard of a man who's going Monday--a man I know--and it came over me all at once, why shouldn't I go too? I went to see him Friday--kept it dark here till I'd seen the guv'nor, and now it's all fixed. I'm awfully sorry to have played you like this-- CHAR. Oh, rot! That's nothing. But I say, it's the rummest go I ever heard of. What did Molesey say? TENNANT. Slapped me on the back! What d'ye think of that? I thought he'd call me a fool. He pointed out that I could stay there for ever, if I liked--which was jolly decent of him--but when I said I'd rather not, thanks muchly, he banged me on the back, and said he wished he could do the same and cut the office. He didn't even stop the money for notice. CHAR. Did he give you a £5 note? TENNANT. [_laughing._] You don't want much. The old chap was quite excited, asked me to write--how's that? _Pause._ [_Rising._] The thing is--I can't see why I didn't go before. Why did I ever go into the beastly office? There was nobody to stop me going to Timbuctoo, if I liked. I say, will you tell Mrs. Wilson? CHAR. She's only in the kitchen. Lil!--Lil! [_Shouting._] LILY. [_from outside._] Yes, dear. CHAR. Come here! Here's news.