MORE. Hello, Steel!
[The street musicians have again begun to play.]
STEEL. From Sir John—by special messenger from the War Office.
MORE. [Reading the note] "The ball is opened."
He stands brooding over the note, and STEEL looks at him anxiously. He is a dark, sallow, thin-faced young man, with the eyes of one who can attach himself to people, and suffer with them.
STEEL. I'm glad it's begun, sir. It would have been an awful pity to have made that speech.
MORE. You too, Steel!
STEEL. I mean, if it's actually started——
MORE. [Tearing tie note across] Yes. Keep that to yourself.
STEEL. Do you want me any more?