[_JOHN opens the bedroom door for her, and she passes into the room; he shuts the door after her ... there is a little silence between JOHN and FRANKIE._ JOHN (_quietly, almost tonelessly, speaking facts_): I met her during the war when I was on leave ... we had supper after the theatre, and I went back to her flat--and stayed there ... and I’ve been there, sometimes, ever since. [_She doesn’t answer._ ... I’m very sorry it should have happened like this. FRANKIE: I never dreamed of anything like it.... I trusted you ... I hate being deceived ... it’s been going on all this time and I never knew it ... all the time you were with me. JOHN (_quickly_): But I never made love to you ... it’s been absolutely apart from the rest of my life here. She’s never been here before. FRANKIE: Hasn’t she? JOHN: No.... They were two quite distinct relationships, mine with you--and with her. FRANKIE: I should hope so! JOHN: I’ve not made love to you, not because I haven’t wanted to, but because you didn’t want me to.... FRANKIE: I’m glad I didn’t. I don’t want to share that sort of thing, thank you. JOHN: You wouldn’t have done. FRANKIE: What do you mean? JOHN: If you’d wanted to make love, I shouldn’t have wanted anybody else. FRANKIE: That’s easy enough to say now. JOHN: I’ve been wrong. I’ve let things drift. FRANKIE: Why? JOHN: All this time, I’ve hoped something would flare up between us, and then it would have been perfect--but it hasn’t. FRANKIE: You say it’s my fault too! JOHN: It’s nobody’s fault. We’re different--that’s all. FRANKIE: Do you want to marry this girl? JOHN: No. FRANKIE: I don’t understand---- JOHN: Frankie, don’t cry. FRANKIE (_through her tears_): And this morning I was talking to mother about furnishing ... and the little house ... it’s arranged, nearly ... what’ll everybody say? Oh, it’s too bad of you! JOHN: I’m awfully sorry; I ought to have had it out before; I’m sorry; don’t cry.... FRANKIE: Don’t talk then. [_But she cannot stop the tears and escapes from the room. The unhappy JOHN remaining, throws himself into the depths of his chair; there is a knock at the door._ JOHN: Come in. [_It is the little housemaid._ ROSIE: Please, Mr. John, there’s a lady to see you. JOHN: Oh, my God! Where? ROSIE: Downstairs--in the morning-room. She’s waiting. JOHN: I’ll come. ROSIE: ... Please, Mr. John. JOHN: Yes? ROSIE: About that blow-pipe ... it wasn’t my fault ... ’e blowed; I couldn’t stop him. JOHN: That’s all right, Rosie.... In the morning-room? ROSIE: Yes, please, Mr. John. [_JOHN goes out--ROSIE following ... the silence in the room is broken by GWEN’S voice from the bedroom._ GWEN’S VOICE: You’re very quiet! ... can I come back? Can I...? John!... Frankie!... [_GWEN’S head comes round the corner of the door ... and is so surprised at the emptiness that she apologises to it._