JOHN (_a little taken aback_): Well--he’s made a lot of money; he’s got a beautiful flat and a lovely little cottage in the country; he knows lots of people; there’s a queer superficial cynicism about him--but if I was in trouble I’d sooner go to him than to anybody I know---- GWEN: Yes?... Go on. JOHN: He married when he was quite young; about twenty I believe and it failed; I think he divorced her; he’s never found anything permanent since. [_ROSIE enters to clear the table._ In some ways I think he’s a very lonely person, but he’s not always alone. GWEN (_moving to the door_): I’ll tell Frankie you want her. JOHN (_as she is at the door_): Not in the attic. Down here. GWEN: Right. [_She goes._ JOHN (_to ROSIE, who is clearing away_): You’ll show my friend straight up into the attic, Rosie, when she comes--won’t you? ROSIE: Yes, Mr. John. JOHN: Is that speaking-tube arrangement mended yet? ROSIE: Yes, Mr. John. JOHN: ... If I’m up there when Miss Frankie is going you might give me a whistle on it, will you? ... don’t wait for an answer ... just blow it three times and I’ll know what it means. ROSIE: Yes, Mr. John. JOHN: Thank you. [_FRANKIE comes in._ FRANKIE: Do you want me? JOHN: Yes ... don’t bother about the table now, Rosie, d’you mind----? ROSIE: No, Mr. John. JOHN: I’ll ring later. ROSIE: Thank you, sir. [_ROSIE goes out._ JOHN: Another row with my father to-night. FRANKIE: Oh, John!... JOHN: He was in the right. FRANKIE: What about? JOHN: I stayed away from the office. FRANKIE: Why did you? JOHN: What would you say if I chucked it altogether? FRANKIE: The business? JOHN: Yes. FRANKIE: For good? JOHN: Yes. FRANKIE: What would you do? JOHN: Oh, there’s a lot of writing I want to get done. FRANKIE: What sort of writing? JOHN (_wretched_): Oh ... articles; and a book. FRANKIE: To get it published? JOHN: I hope so. FRANKIE: Would you get any money for it? JOHN: Not much. FRANKIE: Then what would happen to us? JOHN: ... I don’t know the answer to that. FRANKIE: John--what’s the matter? ... do you mean you want a longer holiday? JOHN: I want to start work. FRANKIE: But you _can’t_ talk about giving up the business ... after all it’s going to make our marriage possible, isn’t it----? JOHN: Are you looking forward to our marriage? FRANKIE: I should think I _am_! JOHN: Are you _really_? FRANKIE: John!... (_She goes to him and stands quite close to him, playing with the lapel of his coat ... her voice is thrillingly low and eager._) I’ve been thinking such lots about the time when we’re married. JOHN: Have you?