OLIVIA: I'll keep it in my wardrobe; it'll be safer there.... _With sudden feverish resolution, she picks up the box and carries it into the kitchen._ DAN _looks the other way as she passes him._ BELSIZE: I'm very sorry, miss. (_Scratching his head_) I'm afraid I've offended her.... DAN (_smiling_): She'll be all right, sir.... BELSIZE: Well, young feller, I'll be off. You might tell the old lady I popped in, and hope she's better. DAN (_smiling and nodding_): Thank you, sir.... Good day, sir. BELSIZE: Good day. _He goes out through the front door into the twilight, closing it behind him._ DAN: Good day sir.... _A pause,_ DAN _crumples to the floor in a dead faint._ QUICK CURTAIN ACT III SCENE 1 _Half an hour later. The light has waned; the fire is lit and throws a red reflection into the room._ DAN _is lying on the sofa, eyes closed._ NURSE LIBBY _sits at the end of the sofa holding his pulse._ MRS. TERENCE _stands behind the sofa with a toby jug of water._ NURSE: There, lovey, you won't be long now.... Ever so much steadier already.... What a bit o' luck me blowin' in to-day!... Tt! tt! Pouring with sweat, the lad is. Whatever's he been up to? MRS. TERENCE: When I walked in that door and saw 'im lyin' full stretch on that floor everything went topsy-wopsy. (_Pressing the jug to_ DAN'S _lips_) It did! The room went round and round.... NURSE:(_as_ DAN _splutters_): Don't choke 'im, there's a love.... MRS. TERENCE: D'you know what I said to meself when I saw 'im lyin' there? NURSE: What? MRS. TERENCE: I said, "That murderer's been at 'im," I said, "and it's the next victim." I did! NURSE: So you would! Just like the pictures.... 'Old your 'ead up, love. MRS. TERENCE (_as_ NURSE LIBBY _supports_ DAN'S _head_): Got a _nice_ face, 'asn't he? NURSE: Oh, yes!... (As DAN'S eyes flicker) Shh, he's coming to.... DAN _opens his eyes and looks at her._ Welcome back to the land of the living! MRS. TERENCE: Thought the murderer'd got you! _A pause._ DAN _stares, then sits up abruptly._ DAN: How long I been like that? NURSE: We picked you up ten minutes ago, and I'd say it was twenty minutes before that, roughly-like, that you passed away. MRS. TERENCE: Passed away, don't frighten the boy!... Whatever come over you, dear? DAN: I dunno. Felt sick, I think. (_Recovering himself_) Say no more about it, eh? Don't like swinging the lead.... (_His head in his hand._) MRS. TERENCE: Waiting 'and and foot on Madame Crocodile, enough to wear King Kong out.... NURSE: That's better, eh? DAN: Is it really getting dark? MRS. TERENCE: It's a scandal the way the days are drawin' in.... 'Ave another sip---- DAN (_as she makes to give him more water, to_ NURSE LIBBY): You haven't such a thing as a nip of brandy? NURSE (_opening her bag_): Yes, lovey, I nearly gave you a drop just now--- DAN _takes a flask from her and gulps; he takes a second mouthful. He gives it back, shakes himself, and looks before him._ MRS. TERENCE: Better?