THEOPHILA. I asked them to. JUSTINA. [_Lowering her voice._] With _her_? THEOPHILA. Yes. JUSTINA. Tell me——! THEOPHILA. By-and-bye. Take me away. [OLIVE _disappears_. JUSTINA. [_Walking with_ THEOPHILA _towards the upper door_.] Oh, we’ve had such a time in there! Uncle Fletcher’s been boring our heads off on the subject of the blessings of Arbitration; and at last, Jack, who is in a vile temper, almost jumped down his throat. [_They go out, whereupon_ JOHN _is seen to slightly push aside the portière and peep into the room. Satisfied that the room is empty, he enters quickly, closes the door behind him emphatically, and throws himself on to the settee with a groan of weariness._ OLIVE _returns; she is about to pass the window, but seeing_ JOHN _she enters quietly, takes a chair and sits. They remain looking at each other for a little while without speaking._ OLIVE. Good morning, John—well, afternoon. JOHN. Er—Have you lunched? OLIVE. No. JOHN. [_Looking towards the dining-room door._] It’s in there. OLIVE. [_Drily._] Thanks. JOHN. I—I’m sorry I can’t offer to wait on you—— OLIVE. Oh, pray don’t——! JOHN. But Portwood is still eating. I’ve been rude to him. OLIVE. Indeed? JOHN. [_Rising and walking about._] I believe all these people will drive me crazy! I don’t know where to get to for them. OLIVE. You are in your own house. Need you seek to avoid any of them? JOHN. Well, I’m not particularly desirous, for instance, of another encounter with Mr. Fraser. OLIVE. Another. Have you——? JOHN. Yes. I’ve been rude to him. OLIVE. Oh! Mrs. Cloys——? JOHN. She treats me as a schoolmistress would treat a very small boy in disgrace. OLIVE. Miss Emptage——! JOHN. Lectures me and patronises me till my blood curdles. Just now I was almost—well, I hope not—— OLIVE. Rude to her? JOHN. Yes. And then this maddening old man——? I can’t endure it! Even my servants—— OLIVE. Servants?