wedgecroft. You read the letter that he sent her . . unless you think it was written as a blind.

farrant. Oh . . to be sure . . yes. I might have thought of that.

He settles down again. Again no one has anything to say.

cantelupe. What is to be said to Mr. O'Connell when he comes?

horsham. Yes . . what exactly do you propose we shall say to O'Connell, Wedgecroft?

wedgecroft. Get him to open his oyster of a mind and . . .

farrant. So it is and his face like a stone wall yesterday. Absolutely refused to discuss the matter with me!

cantelupe. May I ask, Cyril, why are we concerning ourselves with this wickedness at all?

horsham. Just at this moment when we have official weight without official responsibility, Charles . .

wedgecroft. I wish I could have let Percival out of bed, but these first touches of autumn are dangerous to a convalescent of his age.