farrant. [With finality.] If your name comes out at the inquest, to talk of anything but retirement from public life is perfect lunacy . . and you know it.
horsham comes back from the passage. He is a little distracted; then the more so at finding himself again in a highly-charged atmosphere.
horsham. He's gone off with Wedgecroft.
trebell. [Including horsham now in his appeal.] Does anyone think he knows me now to be a worse man . . less fit, less able . . than he did a week ago?
From the piano-stool comes cantelupe's quiet voice.
cantelupe. Yes, Trebell . . I do.
trebell wheels round at this and ceases all bluster.
trebell. On what grounds?
cantelupe. Unarguable ones.
horsham. [Finding refuge again in his mantelpiece.] You know, he has gone off without giving me his promise.