(READY Doorbell.)

Evelyn. Then she wasn't happy. Now she is.

Madge. And when she is, this blow falls without even a telegram to break the force of it.

Phyllis. It is too horrible. Nothing but an announcement in the Times sent by post.

(Note: The voices in each succeeding line should descend in scale.)

Madge. On October the 11th----

Tarver. Of wounds----

Faraday. At Berbera----

Evelyn. Somaliland----

Grice. Colonel Smith----