LADY FRANCIS. My dear, your husband is six feet high, and broad in proportion. I’ll tell Thompson to kick him downstairs if you like.... GEORGE WINTER. But it’s not a job that any well-regulated butler would enjoy. [_The_ BUTLER _comes in, and waits for an order_. GEORGE WINTER. Oh, Thompson, I’m expecting three gentlemen here at five o’clock. You’ll show them into the library, and let me know the moment they come. THOMPSON. Very good, sir. [_He goes out._ CATHERINE. What do you mean by this? GEORGE WINTER. That’s precisely what I came to tell you.... I suppose you’ve been talking. There’ve been references to a dispute between us in the Middlepool papers, and the _Herald_, the Conservative rag, has stated in the current issue that you are divorcing me. CATHERINE. The Middlepool papers are singularly well-informed. GEORGE WINTER. That’s where you’re mistaken. The _Argus_ is printing a special edition with a complete and authoritative denial of the whole story. I’ve issued a writ for libel against the _Herald_. CATHERINE. One lie more or less on your conscience can make no great difference to you. GEORGE WINTER. I’ve explained your presence here by your susceptibility to fresh paint. LADY FRANCIS. What do you mean? GEORGE WINTER. [_With a chuckle._] The day after Kate left Portman Square I came to the conclusion that the house needed re-decorating. I’m having it papered and painted from cellar to attic. When it’s finished I shall start again. LADY FRANCIS. Fortunately the British workman takes his time. GEORGE WINTER. But that’s not enough. The Middlepool people are nervous about the whole thing. You know Swalecliffe--he’s the Nonconformist minister--one of those confounded busybodies who go poking their noses into everybody’s private life. He’s on my committee. He and Ford control the dissenting interest between them.... They’ve got it into their heads that they want the truth from you. CATHERINE. Me? LADY FRANCIS. Who is Ford? GEORGE WINTER. Oh, he’s the richest man in Middlepool. He’s one of my directors on the Middlepool Investment Trust. Hard as nails! Shrewd as they make ’em! But a Nonconformist to the tips of his fingers. He’s just built a Congregational church out of his own pocket. He’s a corker to deal with. LADY FRANCIS. But I don’t understand. What do these men want Kate to do? GEORGE WINTER. They’re coming here at five o’clock with Boyce, my agent, to ask Kate if there’s any truth in the rumours. LADY FRANCIS. But it’s outrageous! GEORGE WINTER. Of course it’s outrageous! But what d’you expect from a parcel of sneaking Middlepool dissenters? LADY FRANCIS. And what do you expect Kate to say? GEORGE WINTER. She’s going to say it’s the first she’s heard of it. Then they’re going to ask her if she’s divorcing me, and she’s going to--repudiate the suggestion with all the scorn at her command. CATHERINE. I refuse to see these people. GEORGE WINTER. Do you? CATHERINE.