Miss P. I must ask you to remain. I have a most painful subject to talk over with you. (sits R.)
Pil. Need we deal with it now? Painful subjects should never be discussed on an empty—before breakfast.
Miss P. It does not admit of delay. We may have to face a serious scandal.
Pil. (crosses to chair L.) Scandal! I trust, Hannah, you are weighing your words very carefully.
Miss P. I am not in the habit of speaking heedlessly. What I have to tell you refers to Cook—(Dorvaston appears at the window—he has Miss Pillenger's shoe in his hand)—and to Captain Dorvaston.
(Dorvaston enters smoking.)
Pil. Ah! here—is—er—Captain Dorvaston. (he crosses to L. and indicates to Dorvaston that Miss Pillenger is in the room. Dorvaston throws cigarette away and comes to top of chair R. C.)
Dor. Good morning, sir. Good morning, ma'am! (Miss Pillenger bows frigidly. Dorvaston crosses to chair)
Pil. Hannah was just—er—mentioning, as you entered, that—you——
Dor. (quietly beating the back of chair with shoe) Yes, I fancied I caught my name. What were you saying, ma'am?