You don’t want me just now, father, do you? ETCHINGHAM. No, dear. Are you going out? CATHERINE. I’m only going to my room. I want--I want to be alone for a little bit. ETCHINGHAM. Oh! [_Before she can give any explanation, the_ BUTLER _comes in to announce_ BENNETT, _and she takes advantage of this to make her escape_. THOMPSON. Mr. Bennett. [_Exit._ ETCHINGHAM. Ah, Mr. Bennett, forgive me if I don’t get up. BENNETT. I’m glad to see you’re better, my lord. ETCHINGHAM. Is anything the matter? BENNETT. [_Surprised._] I thought your lordship expected me. You telephoned? ETCHINGHAM. I? BENNETT. Perhaps the Governor.... ETCHINGHAM. [_Interrupting._] Ah yes, of course. George didn’t mention it. I suppose he wants me to sign cheques. I can do it just as well here as at the office. I expect Mr. Winter is in. Would you mind ringing? BENNETT. Certainly. [_Before he can ring_, GEORGE WINTER _comes in_. GEORGE WINTER. I’ve given orders that no one is to be let up until those people arrive from Middlepool. ETCHINGHAM. By Jove, I’d forgotten all about them. I say, George, you made a mistake in letting them come. GEORGE WINTER. And I’ve told Lady Francis that we shall want this room to ourselves, and no one’s to come in without knocking at the door. ETCHINGHAM. By the way, was it you who sent for Bennett? GEORGE WINTER. It was. Your gout has come in very handy. Sit down, Fred. We’d better make ourselves cosy. Quite comfortable, Etchingham? ETCHINGHAM. Quite, thank you. GEORGE WINTER. Foot all right? ETCHINGHAM. I don’t feel it at the moment. [_Throughout the next scene_ GEORGE WINTER _is as gay and jovial as possible. He is thoroughly amused by the torture he is inflicting. He plays with_ FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM _as a cat would with a mouse_. GEORGE WINTER. I thought you might like to know at once that Macdonald’s report on the mine has come. ETCHINGHAM. Ah, that’s good news. Now we can get to work at once. GEORGE WINTER. Have you got it with you, Fred? BENNETT. Yes, sir. GEORGE WINTER. I’m sure his lordship would like to have a look at it. ETCHINGHAM. Yes, hand it over, Bennett. This is really a thrilling moment. I believe I’m going to make my fortune at last. GEORGE WINTER. As you justly remark, it’s a thrilling moment. [BENNETT _takes the report out of a despatch-case and hands it to_ ETCHINGHAM. ETCHINGHAM. Impressive document, isn’t it? [_He smoothes it out and begins to read._ GEORGE WINTER _watches him with a certain amusement_. GEORGE WINTER. Rather technical, isn’t it? ETCHINGHAM. [_Somewhat irritably._] Upon my soul, I don’t know why Macdonald can’t put it into plain English? GEORGE WINTER. I’m thankful he didn’t put it any plainer. ETCHINGHAM. I must honestly confess that I don’t quite grasp what he means. GEORGE WINTER. I thought you wouldn’t. The long and the short of it can be told in two words. ETCHINGHAM.