ISOBEL (to SEPTIMA). And you?
OLIVER. I told Septima the idea.
[257]ISOBEL. And what does Septima say?
(They all turn to her.)
SEPTIMA (emphatically). Rot!
MARION (shocked). Septima! Your father!
SEPTIMA. Well, you asked me what I said, and I’m telling you. Rot. R-O-T.
WILLIAM (coldly). Kindly explain yourself a little more lucidly.
OLIVER. It’s all rot saying “rot”——
WILLIAM. One at a time, please. Septima?