Miss Woodward.

[With a touch of indignant surprise.] Here? . . . Oh, I beg your pardon!

Parbury.

Not at all! I said here! [Throws down magazine, goes up to fireplace, C. Miss Woodward permits a slight groan to escape her.] Eh?

Miss Woodward.

Nothing, I didn’t speak!

[Sits and bends over desk.

[Parbury looks at her suddenly and keenly as though he had never noticed her before. Slight pause. She arranges papers at desk. He is leaning against the mantelpiece.

Parbury.