Car. The cat is in the scullery.
Miss P. Then it must be a strange cat. (rises and crosses to R. C.)
Car. (going to cupboard, her hand on knob) Strange cats sometimes fly at you. If you'll go, I'll see to it. I'm not nervous.
Miss P. (advances to cupboard) Neither am I. I prefer to see for myself. (waves Cook back) How this door sticks. (she pulls at the handle of the door, which at last opens, discovering Dorvaston) Captain Dorvaston! (he comes out sheepishly; pause) May I ask you to explain this? (Dorvaston looks first at Miss P. then at Cook—takes his hat off)
Dor. Well, ma'am, it ain't exactly easy to make the thing clear.
Miss P. I see. (speaking at Cook) The explanation is only too obvious. My niece has gone to her room, so I shall not disturb her to-night, but to-morrow it will be my painful duty to tell her everything. (moves a step to the door)
Dor. I say, ma'am, just a moment.
Miss P. (moves toward Cook and stops) As to you, Cook, I will—or, rather, Mr. Pillenger—will speak to you in the morning.
Car. (smiling) Very well! (at top of table. Miss Pillenger moves to go—Dorvaston intercepts her)
Dor. Look here, ma'am—upon my soul you must listen. I wanted to say something to Cook. It was nothing—anybody might have heard it.