[staring at him]

By the Lord, but you play a queer game, Mr. Pike!

PIKE

Oh, I'm jest crossing the Rubicon. Your father used to have a saying: "If you're going to cross the Rubicon, cross it. Don't wade out to the middle and stand there; you only get hell from both banks."

[Enter LADY CREECH from the hotel.]

LADY CREECH

[testily]

Mr. Granger-Simpson, have you seen my nephew?[pg 168]

HORACE

No; I've rather avoided that, if you don't mind my saying so.