[_Turning to the fire,_ PHILIP _talks rapidly and energetically to_ ROOPE _in undertones._ BERTRAM. [_Into the telephone._] Filson.... Mr. Filson.... I'm speaking from Gray's Inn.... Gray's Inn--Mr. Mackworth's chambers--2, Friars Court.... You're wanted, Dunning.... Now--immediately.... Yes, jump into a taxicab and come up, will you?... ROOPE. [_To_ PHILIP, _aloud, opening his eyes widely._] My dear Phil----! PHILIP. [_With a big laugh._] Ha, ha, ha, ha----! BERTRAM. [_To_ PHILIP, _angrily._] Quiet! I can't hear. [_Into the telephone._] I can't hear; there's such a beastly noise going on--what?... Dash it, you can get something to eat at _any_ time! I mean to _say_--!... Eh?... [_Irritably._] Oh, of course you may have a wash and brush up!... Yes, he _is_.... You're coming, then?... Right! Goo'bye. ROOPE. [_To_ PHILIP, _who has resumed his communication to_ ROOPE_--incredulously._] Dear excellent friend----! [_The door-bell rings again._ PHILIP. Ah--! [_Pausing on his way to the vestibule door--to_ BERTRAM.] Mr. Dunning will favour us with his distinguished company? BERTRAM. [_Behind the table on the left, loweringly._] In a few minutes. He's washing. PHILIP. Washing? Some of his customers' dirty linen? [_As he opens the vestibule door,_ JOHN _admits_ SIR RANDLE FILSON _at the outer door._] Ah, Sir Randle! SIR RANDLE. [_Heartily._] Well, Philip, my boy! [_While_ JOHN _is taking his hat, overcoat, etc._] Are my dear wife and daughter here yet? PHILIP. Not yet. SIR RANDLE. I looked in at Brooks's on my way to you. I hadn't been there for months. [_To_ JOHN.] My muffler in the right-hand pocket. Thank you. [_Entering and shaking hands with_ PHILIP.] Ha! They gave me quite a warm welcome. Very gratifying. [ROOPE _advances._] Mr. Roope! [_Shaking hands with_ ROOPE _as_ PHILIP _shuts the vestibule door._] An unexpected pleasure! ROOPE. [_Uneasily._] Er--I am rather an interloper, I'm afraid, my dear Sir Randle---- SIR RANDLE. [_Retaining his hand._] No. [_Emphatically._] _No._ This is one of Philip's many happy inspirations. If my memory is accurate, it was at your charming flat in South Audley Street that he and my darling child--[_discovering_ BERTRAM, _who is now by the settee on the left._] Bertie! [_Going to him._] I haven't seen you all day, Bertie dear. [_Kissing him on the forehead._] Busy, eh? BERTRAM. [_Stiffly._] Yes, father. PHILIP.