GEORGE [scarcely daring to pronounce the words] Then is he anxious?
MME. DUPONT. No. He wants to speak to you.
GEORGE. He wants to speak to me?
MME. DUPONT. Yes.
GEORGE [resigning himself] Very well.
MME. DUPONT. When he saw the nurse, whom I had left in the waiting room, he called me back and said: ‘It is impossible for me to continue attending on this child unless I can see its father and speak to him at once.’ I answered ’Very well,’ and gave him your address. He will not be long.
GEORGE [to himself in a low voice] My poor little child!
MME. DUPONT [looking at him] Yes, she is a poor little child.
GEORGE [after a long silence] Mother—
MME. DUPONT [hearing the door opened] Hush! [A maid comes in and speaks to her. To George] It is he! [To the maid] Show him in. [To George] I shall be there if you want me.