MICH. (shakes his head). I can’t go round with the hat.
MARK. How’s the work getting on?
MICH. Very slowly. I’m afraid I shall never live to finish it. By the bye, I received fifty pounds anonymously only yesterday.
MARK. Have you any idea where it came from?
MICH. No. The Bank advised me that it had been paid to my credit by a reader of my “Hidden Life,” who desired to remain anonymous.
MARK. The book is having an enormous influence. Nothing else is talked about. And it has gained you one very rich proselyte—this Mrs. Lesden. She’s living here, isn’t she?
MICH. Yes. Curious woman——
MARK. Have you seen much of her?
MICH. I called, of course. I’ve met her once or twice at dinner. She has called here three or four times, and wasted several good hours for me.
MARK. How wasted?