A sitting-room in Carlyon's house; time, 10 p.m. Doors left and right; also in right back corner opening into veranda with aviary. Elizabeth is in the aviary crooning to her Himalayan eagles; Carlyon is writing l.c.; Vera, with the British Medical Journal in her hand, watches him rather anxiously till he ceases and begins to read over his letter, then she rises and comes up to him.
Vera.
Are you busy, Father?
Carlyon.
I am only reasoning with Her Majesty's Government. There, copy that! [Gives her the draft letter.
Vera.
There is a thing you ought perhaps to see in this paper—some experiments of Dr. Steinmetz. [Offering him the B. M. J.
Carlyon.
[Sharply.] What paper?