Peter. You lie. Jones. I don't. I saw her. Peter (_deliberately_). There's no woman here except my mother. Ned (_solemnly_). Is that the truth, Peter? I also thought I saw a skirt that I'm sure your mother couldn't wear. Peter. It's the truth. Upon my word of honour it's the truth. Jones (_roughly_). I don't believe it. Ned (_protesting_). We have his word, Karl. Jones. The word of a convicted liar. He lied about his absence from the House. He's lying now. Peter (_with determination_). You'll take my word for it. [_Door bell rings r._ Jones. Yes, if you'll let me see who's in that room. Peter. My mother's there. Jones. And no one else? Peter. Nobody. Jones. Then show us. Prove it. Ned. He's said enough, Karl. He's passed his word. Jones. I don't believe his word's worth that. (_Snapping fingers._) He's lying for a woman. (_Bitterly._) It's the code of a gentleman to lie for a woman. [_Door bell rings again._ Peter. I can't help your disbelief. Jones. No, but you can open that door. (_Indicating left._) Peter (_his back to the door_). You'll take my word. (_Again the door bell rings, and Mrs. Garside enters left. Peter turns round on her, surprising her by his vehemence. Angrily._) What is it? [_The door remains open._ Mrs. G. Someone's at the door. Didn't you hear the bell ring? Peter. Let it ring. Don't you see I've visitors? Ned (_coming forward like a friend_). Good evening, Mrs. Garside. Mrs. G. (_unheeding, troubled with Peter_). But it'll be Mr. Mottram eome baek for his sister. Jones. What? [_He crosses to look through the left door. Gladys enters, meeting Jones' eye._ Glad. May I go through to my brother, Mr. Garside? Jones (_falling back_). Miss Mottram! [_Peter looks from one to the other like a caged animal._ Ned (_with genuine feeling_). Lad, lad, do you lie for the sake of lying? Jones (_triumphantly, his voice ringing_). I think there'll be no dilliculty about that resignation now. Peter (_after a slight pause, tensely_). On one condition. Jones (_scornfully_). You're in a grand position for making conditions. Peter. Keep your mouths shut about Miss Mottram's presence here, and I place my resignation in the Speaker's hands to-morrow. (_Slight pause._) Ned. I accept. Jones (_disagreeing violently_). Well, I---- Ned. _You_ accept. Jones. But------ Ned. You have our promise, Garside, and you can take my word. [_Jones is silent and sullen._ Glad, (_vaguely_). What! Peter (_hysterically_). You heard. I'm resigning my seat in the House of Commons. Humpty-dumpty had a great fall. (_Jones laughs aloud, Gladys smiles slightly, Peter almost screams._) Don't laugh. (_Suddenly self-pitying._) I don't know what I'm saying. (_With a flicker of the old pride._) But I was an M.P. once. You can't take that from me. (_Blundering blindly to door, left._) Oh, go, go, all of you. I want to be alone. [_The door bell has been steadily ringing. Peter goes off left, and bangs the door behind him._