LILY. You’ll stay to supper, won’t you? You and Charley can sit and talk business the whole time. I’m afraid Charley doesn’t like music very much—do you, dear?
CHARLEY. Oh, sometimes.
LILY. [big laugh from behind curtains.] You should hear Mr. Leslie. He’s so funny, he’s been giving Mr. Tennant advice what to do when he’s a lonely bachelor in Australia. He made us roar with laughter.
Goes back laughing.
CHARLEY. Silly ass!
FENWICK. [startled.] What?
CHARLEY. That chap Leslie! It’d do him good to go to Australia for a bit. He’d stick to his berth if they docked his screw to ten bob. He’s got no pride in him.
FENWICK. Well, we—at least, I—can’t say much—I’m going to stay on. You, too, I suppose.
CHARLEY. [with a sort of defiance.] Why should I? What’s to hinder me leaving? Why shouldn’t I go to Morgan and say, “Look here—just tell those directors that I won’t stand it! I’m not going to be put up or down—take this or that—at their will and pleasure.”
There is a burst of laughter from the inner room.