MRS. MEGAN. Of course, I could get me night's lodging if I like to do--the same as some of them. WELLWYN. No! no! Never, my child! Never! MRS. MEGAN. It's easy that way. WELLWYN. Heavens! But your husband! Um? MRS. MEGAN. [With stoical vindictiveness.] He's after one I know of. WELLWYN. Tt! What a pickle! MRS. MEGAN. I'll 'ave to walk about the streets. WELLWYN. [To himself.] Now how can I? [MRS. MEGAN looks up and smiles at him, as if she had already discovered that he is peculiar.] WELLWYN. You see, the fact is, I mustn't give you anything--because --well, for one thing I haven't got it. There are other reasons, but that's the--real one. But, now, there's a little room where my models dress. I wonder if you could sleep there. Come, and see. [The Girl gets up lingeringly, loth to leave the warmth. She takes up her wet stockings.] MRS. MEGAN. Shall I put them on again? WELLWYN. No, no; there's a nice warm pair of slippers. [Seeing the steam rising from her.] Why, you're wet all over. Here, wait a little! [He crosses to the door into the house, and after stealthy listening, steps through. The Girl, like a cat, steals back to the warmth of the fire. WELLWYN returns with a candle, a canary-coloured bath gown, and two blankets.] WELLWYN. Now then! [He precedes her towards the door of the model's room.] Hsssh! [He opens the door and holds up the candle to show her the room.] Will it do? There's a couch. You'll find some washing things. Make yourself quite at home. See! [The Girl, perfectly dumb, passes through with her basket--and her shoes and stockings. WELLWYN hands her the candle, blankets, and bath gown.] WELLWYN. Have a good sleep, child! Forget that you're alive! [He closes the door, mournfully.] Done it again! [He goes to the table, cuts a large slice of cake, knocks on the door, and hands it in.] Chow-chow! [Then, as he walks away, he sights the opposite door.] Well--damn it, what could I have done? Not a farthing on me! [He goes to the street door to shut it, but first opens it wide to confirm himself in his hospitality.] Night like this!