The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

[Half in the room and half in the vestibule—to Roope, remembering his existence.] Oh, good night, Mr. Roope!

Roope.

Good night, dear Lady Filson.

Sir Randle.

[In the vestibule.] Good night, Mr. Roope.

Roope.

Good night. Good night, dear excellent friends.

Lady Filson.

[To Ottoline, who is lingering by the big doors.] Ottoline——

[Lady Filson and Bertram join Sir Randle in the vestibule and Sir Randle opens the outer door. Philip, his hands behind him and his chin on his breast, has walked to the fireplace and is standing there looking fixedly into the fire. Ottoline slowly comes forward and fingers the back of the chair by the smoking-table.