JOHN. Charlie, you promised.
CHARLIE. Yes, if she insists. It's Rosie I'm engaged to, not Thompson. I'm not going to start married life on a lie, (Enter Rosie centre.) and I shan't start it at all if I can help it. I——
ROSIE. What are you two talking about so seriously? Father's sent me to see.
JOHN. Has he, my dear? (Rising and moving as though he had suddenly grown twenty years older.) I think I will go to him. (Walking towards the door and mumbling again.) Yes, I think I will go to him.
(Exit John by door r.c. A slight pause. Rosie looks at Charlie.)
ROSIE. Well, haven't you a word to throw at a dog? (Charlie is silent.) Charlie, you're not ill, are you?
CHARLIE. Ill? No. I'm all right.
ROSIE. Well, suppose you say "Good evening" to me.
CHARLIE (collecting himselj). I'm sorry. (He crosses over and kisses her per junctorily, then sits down absent-mindedly on soja. Rosie watches him for a moment.)
ROSIE. You're not very brilliant to-night.