"Raving, my dear. I've been certified for two years come Ember. Out on licence under the new Cock and Bull Bill. You know, 'And your petitioners will ever Pray—'"
"I suppose you do have lucid intervals?"
"Only on third Tuesdays."
"Such as to-day."
"By Jove, so it is. I thought one was about due. Now I come to think of it, I nearly had one just now."
"When?"
"When you asked me what I should like."
In silence she traced a pattern upon the white cloth with a small pink finger. I watched it, and wondered whether her eyes were smiling. I couldn't see them, but her mouth looked as if it wanted to. Then:
"I think you'd better tell me when the interval's coming," she said quietly. "One usually goes out—"
"You're thinking of Plays," said I. "Between Acts II and III ten minutes and the safety curtain. But with Life and fools it's different. You don't go out in these intervals."