EUSTASIA. Oh, so sure, so very sure. Aren’t we, Nicholas? NICHOLAS. Absolutely sure. LATIMER. That’s right. (_Looking at his watch_) Well, I don’t want to hurry you, but if you have any little things to do, the car will be here in half an hour, and—— EUSTASIA. Half an hour? Oh, I must fly. (_She begins._) NICHOLAS (_not moving_). Yes, we must fly. LATIMER (_going to the door with EUSTASIA_). By the way, you will be interested to hear that I had two other visitors last night. EUSTASIA (_stopping excitedly_). Mr. Latimer! You don’t mean another—couple? LATIMER. Yes, another romantic couple. EUSTASIA. Oh, if I could but see them before we go! Just for a moment! Just to reconcile them to this week of probation! To tell them what a wonderful week it can be! LATIMER. You shall. I promise you that you shall. EUSTASIA. Oh, thank you, dear Mr. Latimer! (_He goes to the door with her. As he comes back, NICHOLAS is coming slowly towards him._) NICHOLAS. I say? LATIMER. Yes? NICHOLAS (_thoughtfully_). I say, what would _you_—I mean—supposing—— Because you see—I mean, it isn’t as if—— Of course, _now_—— (_He looks at his watch and finishes up sadly_) Half an hour. Well, I suppose I must be getting ready. (_He goes towards the door._) LATIMER (_as he gets there_). Er—Nicholas. NICHOLAS. Yes? LATIMER. Just a moment. NICHOLAS (_coming back to him_). Yes? (_LATIMER takes him by the arm, and looks round the room to see that they are alone._) LATIMER (_in a loud whisper_). Cheer up! NICHOLAS (_excitedly_). What? (_LATIMER has let go of his arm and moved away, humming casually to himself. The light dies out of NICHOLAS’ eyes, and he shrugs his shoulders despairingly._) NICHOLAS (_without any hope_). Well, I’ll go and get ready. [_He goes out._ (_DOMINIC comes in and begins to rearrange the breakfast-table._) LATIMER. Ah, good morning, Dominic. DOMINIC. Good morning, sir. A nicish morning it seems to be, sir. LATIMER. A very nicish morning. I have great hopes of the world to-day. DOMINIC. I am very glad to hear it, sir. LATIMER. We must all do what we can, Dominic. DOMINIC. That’s the only way, isn’t it, sir? LATIMER. Great hopes, great hopes. DOMINIC (_handing him “The Times”_). The paper, sir. LATIMER. Thank you. (_He looks at the front page_). Any one married this morning? Dear me, quite a lot. One, two, three, four ... ten. Ten! Twenty happy people, Dominic! DOMINIC. Let us hope so, sir. LATIMER. Let us hope so.... By the way, how was his lordship this morning? DOMINIC. A little depressed, sir. LATIMER. Ah! DOMINIC. There seems to have been some misunderstanding about his luggage. A little carelessness on the part of somebody, I imagine, sir. LATIMER. Dear me! Didn’t it come with him? DOMINIC. I’m afraid not, sir. LATIMER. Tut, tut, how careless of somebody. Can’t we lend him anything?