COLONEL, so long used to her dear impulsive ways, ‘Hullo! We mustn’t let on that we are fond of each other before company.’
STEVE, meaning well, though he had better have held his tongue, ‘I don’t count; I am such an old friend.’
ALICE, slowly, ‘Such an old friend!’ Her husband sees that she is struggling with some emotion.
COLONEL. ‘Worrying about the children still, Alice?’
ALICE, glad to break down openly, ‘Yes, yes, I can’t help it, Robert.’
COLONEL, petting her, ‘There, there, you foolish woman. Joy will come in the morning; I never was surer of anything. Would you like me to take you home now?’
ALICE. ‘Home. But, yes, I—let us go home.’
COLONEL. ‘Can we have a cab, Steve?’
STEVE. ‘I’ll go down and whistle one. Alice, I’m awfully sorry that you—that I—’
ALICE. ‘Please, a cab.’