MRS. CULVER ( to Hildegarde). My pet, you've time to change now. Do run and change. You're so sombre.
HILDEGARDE. I can't do it in twenty minutes.
MRS. CULVER. Then put a bright shawl on—for papa's sake.
HILDEGARDE. I haven't got a bright shawl.
MRS. CULVER. Then take mine. The one with the pink beads on it. It's in my wardrobe—right-hand side.
JOHN. That means it'll be on the left-hand side.
( Exit Hildegarde, back, with a look at Tranto, who opens the door for her .)
MRS. CULVER ( with sweet apprehensiveness ). Now Arthur, I'm afraid after all you have something on your mind.
CULVER. I've got nothing on my stomach, anyway. ( Bracing himself .) Yes, darling, it's true. I have got something on my mind. Within the last hour I've had a fearful shock—
MRS. CULVER. I knew it!