WILLIAM. I appreciate the compliment, my dear. Don't spoil it,
LAURA. Don't be heartless!
WILLIAM. I'm not: far from it. (He looks at his watch) I'm afraid I must go now.
LAURA. Why must you go?
WILLIAM. They are expecting me—to dinner.
LAURA. Who's 'they'?
WILLIAM. The children and their mother. They've invited me to stay the night.
(Mrs. James does her best to conceal the shock this gives her. She delivers her ultimatum with judicial firmness!)
LAURA. William, I wish you to come and live here with me.
(William vanishes. Mrs. James in a fervour of virtuous indignation hastens to the door, opens it, and calls 'William!' but there is no answer!)