OLIVE. [_Fidgeting with the cigarette-box._] Not for many years, of course—three or four years, at least. Time makes the oddest things possible. JOHN. [_Thoughtfully._] I suppose so. OLIVE. It would appear supremely ridiculous to the world, you’re afraid? JOHN. Pish! the world don’t matter a damn. OLIVE. [_Softly._] Ah, that’s delicious! JOHN. What is——? OLIVE. I haven’t heard a man swear since I turned you out of Pont Street. [_Dreamily, almost inaudibly, as she plays with a cigarette._] Damn! [_He looks round at her; she is lost in thought; suddenly she crushes the cigarette, and flings it from her fiercely._] Ah! Theo Fraser smokes! JOHN. [_Starting up in a rage._] Hah! hah! [_He goes out of the room._ OLIVE. [_Following him a few steps, penitently._] Oh, John!—— [_There is a knock at the upper door._] Yes? [QUAIFE _enters, with some cards on a salver_.] QUAIFE. [_Looking round._] I beg pardon, ma’am; a lady and two gentlemen would like to see Mr. Allingham, if it’s not disturbing him. [_She goes to the table and examines the cards._ OLIVE. [_In a hard voice._] Are these people friends of Mr. Allingham’s? Have they ever called on him before? QUAIFE. No, ma’am. [_Hesitatingly._] I fancy the eldest of the two gentlemen came once, if not twice, to Pont Street in—in—in your time, ma’am. OLIVE. I’ll give those to Mr. Allingham. [_He lays the cards out on the table._] You’ll be rung for. [_He goes towards the door._] You haven’t mentioned that I am here? QUAIFE. Oh, no, ma’am. I simply said Mr. Allingham was engaged for the moment. OLIVE. Quite right; thank you. [_He withdraws. She eagerly scrutinises the cards, re-arranges them upon the table, then goes to the fireplace and stands waiting impatiently._ JOHN _re-enters, carrying a decanter of champagne and some biscuits in a silver dish, which he places on a side-table_. JOHN. This is the Moet we had just begun to drink when we—— You rather liked it, I fancy. OLIVE. Some people have called; they’re waiting to see you. JOHN. [_Turning._] People—so late? OLIVE. [_Pointing to the table._] These are their cards. JOHN.