MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Severely._] Then it was very _foolish_ of you. What _should_ have happened? If you heard _anything_, it probably came from next door. [_Sounds of stamping from within sliding-doors, and then a noise as if some piece of furniture had been overturned._ JESSIE. There it is _again_, madam! And it _does_ seem to come from the study! [_Sounds as before, rather louder._ MRS. FUTVOYE. Oh, _that_? That's nothing, nothing! The Professor is merely shifting some of the furniture. JESSIE. [_Evidently devoured by curiosity._] Won't he find it too much for him, madam? Perhaps I might be able to help. [_She makes a movement towards the sliding-doors._ MRS. FUTVOYE. You're not to go in there! You know your master allows _nobody_ to touch his things. I can't have him disturbed. [_More stamping and banging--then a crash of broken glass._ JESSIE. He seems to be disturbing of _himself_, madam--just had an accident with something. Hadn't I better go in and clear it up? [_She again makes a movement towards the sliding-doors._ MRS. FUTVOYE. Certainly not! Leave the room and attend to your work. [_The front door bell rings._] Good gracious! the visitors' bell! Jessie, I'm not at home! _Nobody_ is at home! _Whoever_ it is, mind! JESSIE. [_Who has gone to the door leading to the hall and opened it, turns to MRS. FUTVOYE._] I forgot to mention it, madam, but after that foreign gentleman called to see the master this morning, I found there's something wrong with the catch of the front door--leastways, I can't get it to shut, do what I will. [_PRINGLE comes in through the door which JESSIE is holding open._ MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Rises and makes a step forward._] Mr. Pringle! You can go, Jessie. [_JESSIE goes out with an air of baffled curiosity._ PRINGLE. [_Shaking hands with MRS. FUTVOYE._] Pray excuse my coming in unannounced--but it's rather urgent. MRS. FUTVOYE. How do you do, Mr. Pringle? [_Indicating the sofa below the window._] Do sit down. PRINGLE. I feel reassured already. I had a dreadful apprehension that I might come _too late_. MRS. FUTVOYE. [_With a pathetic attempt to maintain appearances._] Half past twelve is surely _quite_ early enough. Not that I am anything but delighted to see _you_, at _any_ time. PRINGLE. You are very kind. [_He sits down._] But--to be quite frank--I called to see the Professor. Could I have a word or two with him at once? MRS. FUTVOYE. [_Who has taken a chair near the sofa._] I'm _so_ sorry--but that's really impossible just now. PRINGLE. Indeed? I trust he is not unwell--after last night? MRS. FUTVOYE.