WALTER. Because he’s yowling! Stop! Stella must stay in case Mrs. Everest comes. (_Calls._) Mrs. Anderson! I want a cab! (_He and JACK rush out D. in F._) STELLA. I’m so excited I think I’ll play the piano in the other room. (_Exit R. to drawing-room and immediately plays and sings “Caressante.”_) (_AUTOMATON enters D. in F., in black frock-coat, but now hatless, goes to cupboard, paws at the door, goes and knocks over chair, then to table up L. and takes up a tumbler, brings it down mechanically to front C., half raises it, then lets it fall on the floor and sits by table R., facing audience and says:_) AUTOMATON. Tick-tick-Yow. (_MRS. ANDERSON enters D. in F. with a black frock-coat in tailor’s parcel, places it on table R. top end, then sees AUTOMATON and comes out C., to speak._) MRS. ANDERSON. Oh, he’s there, are he? (_Using handkerchief as she speaks._) AUTOMATON. Yow. MRS. ANDERSON. There’s a parcel from the tailoring folks with a message hopering as it were in time. AUTOMATON. Yow-Yow. (_She starts a little._) MRS. ANDERSON. The pore young lady is a-sittering in there. AUTOMATON. Tick-tick. Yow-yow! (_Same business._) MRS. ANDERSON. Ain’t you in good ’ealth, Mr. Everest, sir? AUTOMATON. Yow-chuck, Yow-yow. (_Rises and makes mechanical exit to bedroom L._) MRS. ANDERSON (_watching him_). Pore-young-man! (_Enter STELLA R._) Mr. Everest have come back, mum; gone in his bedroom, mum; been to the pub.-house again, or I’m much mistook. Pore-young-man! (_Exit D. in F._) STELLA (_calls across_). Walter, here’s a parcel--Walter! (_AUTOMATON enters door L., but does not come out, she sees him._) Walter, why have you left Jack? Is anything wrong? AUTOMATON. Yow! (_Turns and goes in again D.L._) STELLA (_crossing to the door_). Walter! (_Door shuts._) How very polite of you! Are you changing? (_Voice off says, “Yow.”_) Oh, very well, if you won’t answer me. I’m in the drawing-room all alone! (_Has crossed back to R., and goes in._) AUTOMATON (_enters L._). Tick-chuck-yow. (_Goes up, hits door of cupboard twice._) Chuck-yow-yow. (_Goes to recess, knocks over a chair, hits clock, etc., and goes into china cupboard in recess L. A loud noise of smashing of crockery off. STELLA through this is playing and singing same air as before._) (_WALTER comes in D. in F., as soon as ever he can, walking quite quietly as contrast to the very quick exit of AUTOMATON. Brown jacket._) WALTER (_comes to table R., calling_). Stella! I want you. Stella! STELLA (_stops singing a moment to call_). I’m not coming! (_Resumes song off._) WALTER (_takes up parcel_). My new coat at last. The moment I get Davidson under lock and key I’m going to change into this and get away to Brighton. (_Puts parcel down._) (_STELLA enters R._) Why wouldn’t you come a minute ago? STELLA. Why did you shut that door in my face? WALTER. When? STELLA. After you went out.