SIR WILLIAM. My good fellow, you know the custom of the country.
DUNNING. Yes, Sir William, but——
SIR WILLIAM. You should have looked before you leaped. I'm not forcing you. If you refuse you must go, that's all.
DUNNING. Yes. Sir William.
SIR WILLIAM. Well, now go along and take a day to think it over.
BILL, who has sauntered moody from the diningroom, stands by the stairs listening. Catching sight of him, DUNNING raises his hand to his forelock.
DUNNING. Very good, Sir William. [He turns, fumbles, and turns again] My old mother's dependent on me——
SIR WILLIAM. Now, Dunning, I've no more to say.
[Dunning goes sadly away under the stairs.]
SIR WILLIAM. [Following] And look here! Just understand this
[He too goes out….]
BILL, lighting a cigarette, has approached the writing-table.
He looks very glum. The billiard-room door is flung open.
MABEL LANFARNE appears, and makes him a little curtsey.