MRS KNOX. Nicely, thank you. Good evening, Mr Gilbey. [They shake hands; and she takes the chair nearest Mrs Gilbey. Mr Knox takes the other chair].
GILBEY. [sitting down] I was just saying, Knox, What is the world coming to?
KNOX. [appealing to his wife] What was I saying myself only this morning?
MRS KNOX. This is a strange time. I was never one to talk about the end of the world; but look at the things that have happened!
KNOX. Earthquakes!
GILBEY. San Francisco!
MRS GILBEY. Jamaica!
KNOX. Martinique!
GILBEY. Messina!
MRS GILBEY. The plague in China!