[_Sitting, haughtily._] Knowing what depended on the fate of your book, I felt from the first that you might be unscrupulous enough to induce your publisher to represent it as being a popular success--in order to impose on us, I mean t'say--though actually it was another of your failures to hit the mark; and when Titterton started blowing the trumpet so loudly, my suspicions increased. [PHILIP _slowly unfolds his arms._] As for desiring to injure you with my family at any price, I scorn the charge. I've had the delicacy to refrain from even mentioning my suspicions to my father and mother, let alone Ottoline. [_Putting his necktie straight and smoothing his hair and his slightly crumpled shirt-front._] Deeply as I regret your connection with my sister, I should have been only too happy, I mean t'say, if my poor opinion of you had been falsified. PHILIP. [_His hands clenched, but preserving his suavity._] Extremely grateful to you, Bertie. I see! And so, burdened by these suspicions, you carried them to Mr.--Mr. Gunning? BERTRAM. Dunning. I didn't regard it as a job for a respectable solicitor---- PHILIP. [_Politely._] _Didn't_ you! BERTRAM. Not that there's anything against Dunning---- PHILIP. [_Uncrossing his legs and sitting upright._] Well, that brings us to the point, doesn't it? BERTRAM. The point? PHILIP. The precise, and illuminating, details of the fable your friend at the bottom of Chancery Lane is fooling you with. BERTRAM. [_In a pitying tone._] Oh, my dear Mackworth! I repeat, it's no _use_ your adopting this attitude. You don't realize how completely you're bowled over, I mean t'say. Dunning's got incontestable proofs---- PHILIP. [_Jumping up, unable to repress himself any longer._] Damn the impudent scoundrel----! [_The bell rings._ BERTRAM. [_Listening._] Your bell! PHILIP. [_Striding to the left and then to the fireplace._] You said he's still at his office, didn't you? BERTRAM. [_Rising._] Yes. PHILIP. [_Pointing to the telephone, imperatively._] Get him here at once. BERTRAM. [_Rather taken aback._] At once? PHILIP. I'll deal with this gentleman promptly. BERTRAM. [_Icily._] Not before Ottoline and my parents, I hope? PHILIP. [_Seizing the poker and attacking the fire furiously._] Before Ottoline and your parents. BERTRAM. A most painful scene for them, I mean t'say---- PHILIP.