JABEZ. I leave it with you, John. Take him off to your laboratory, Charlie, and talk it over. (Charlie drops forward to John.)
CHARLIE. Come along, Dad.
(Exeunt Charlie and John, r.c. Jabez loosens his collar mechanically, puts his hands in his pockets, takes a handful of coins from one pocket, rolls it in his hands and transfers it to the other; then sits at his desk, takes up the speaking tube, blows and speaks through it.)
JABEZ. Just telephone to Dr. Clavering and say I'll be obliged if he will step round here and see me at once.
(He replaces the tube. Jabez takes the book from the paper basket and turns its pages over while speaking to Lomax. Enter Lomax, r.c.)
JABEZ. Oh, about that accident last night, Lomax. (Looks up from the book and turns round on his chair to face Lomax.)
LOMAX. Yes, sir. I was coming to you about it when you were disengaged. Mrs. Wilcock is waiting in the office.
JABEZ. Who's Mrs. Wilcock? The widow?
LOMAX. Yes.
JABEZ. Oh, I can't be bothered with her. That's the insurance people's job. Send her away. (Lomax bows and is going l., he turns as Jabez rises, crosses to fire and speaks again.) Have you—do you happen to have heard what the men make of the accident?