_Sibyl_: "Roger! _Don’t_ make horrid jokes. You wouldn’t be so base—so—ungrateful—as that...." _Roger_: "It isn’t an act of baseness, that’s certain; and as to ingratitude, I think by going away I am doing the best thing altogether, so far as _you_ are concerned. No!" (she is rising and pushing the tea-table out of her way as a preparation for drama). "You must let me explain myself—and _do_ let us discuss this _quietly_, not as though we were acting a scene on the stage. Sibyl! Really the least said, soonest mended. We are in an _impossible_ position.... I blame myself more than you...." (Sibyl: "Thank you!") "I am a cad ... an _utter_ cad. I loathe myself sometimes so much I can’t look at my face in the glass or meet my wife’s eyes. I am going back to Africa ... going out of your life.... You must forget all about me ... and marry some decent man." (His voice sounds strangled and he turns away to recover himself.) _Sibyl_: "It seems to me it is you that are becoming stagey. What does all this mean? Has Lucy found out we’ve been lovers and made a fuss? ... Or is it money? Have you got into debt? _Do_ be explicit!" _Roger_: "It’s none of these things. I only mean I have out-stayed my year with you, my trial year, and now I claim my liberty. I am going once more to try for a career in Africa ... and..." _Sibyl_ (white with anger): "Well, _go_ to Africa! I never wish to see you again! _Go_! _Go_! _Go_!" (She half rises as if to expel him with her hands, but he saves her the trouble, takes up his hat, gloves and stick, walks out, closes the door of the library gently and lets himself out of the house.) The next day he leaves at the door a tin despatch box and a letter containing its key. The box has amongst its contents the bunch of keys he has used on the Estate, a great bundle of accounts, notes, and suggestions for the immediate future. In the letter which accompanies this box he tells Sibyl all about the arrangement he has made in her Estate Office, advises her to keep on his brother Maurice who shows signs of uncommon ability, but for some time yet to retain as Head Agent Mr. Flower, provisionally engaged for a year, who is highly recommended by the Institute of Land Agents. Both alike are now well acquainted with the affairs of the Silchester Estate.... He asks her to be kind to Lucy who will remove as soon as she is strong enough to Aldermaston and meantime remains at the Lodge under Maud’s care. Later on, when her child is old enough to be left in the grand-parents’ keeping, Lucy and Maud will join him in East Africa. His address in London till he leaves for Marseilles on February 28 will be Pardew’s Hotel.... He will never forget her kindness ... _never_ ... at a critical time in his life. And will not say "good-bye," because when he has "made good" in Africa he will come back on a holiday and hope to find the Estate flourishing and Silchester grown into a sturdy boy.