HILDEGARDE ( springing up ). Sampson Str —
CULVER ( calmly ). Keep your nerve, Hilda. Keep your nerve.
JOHN. I thought I wouldn't say anything till he'd actually arrived. He mightn't have come at all. Then what a fool I should have looked if I'd told you he was coming! Tranto himself doesn't know him. Tranto pooh-poohed the idea of me ever meeting him, Tranto did. Well, I've met him, and he's here. I haven't let on to him that I know Tranto. I'm going to bring them together and watch them both having the surprise of their lives.
CULVER. John, this is a great score for you. I admit I've never been more interested in meeting anyone. Never!
Enter Parlourmaid, back .
PARLOURMAID. Miss Starkey, sir.
CULVER ( cheerfully ). I'll see her soon. ( Pulling himself up suddenly; in an alarmed, gloomy tone .) No, no! I can't possibly see her.
PARLOURMAID. Miss Starkey says there are several important letters, sir.
CULVER. No, no! I'm not equal to it.