Hashovit (sneering): So that you can kiss him in the passage without anyone seeing you——
Mercia (proudly): Ill kiss him before you all. (A terrific crash and splintering of glass heralds the arrival of Eustace by the skylight. He lands on the table, which collapses under him; recovers his feet, and smiles genially around.)
“The influence of that man Shaw.”
Mercia (crooning): Yousteeee!
The Colonel (testily): Confound it all, Brill, I wish you wouldn’t tear the place to pieces like that.... And you’ve shot a great fid of glass into my eye. Damn the thing. (He gropes, and finally extracts it.) There, now itll bleed for the rest of the day!
Eustace (surprised): I thought you prided yourself on keeping up active service conditions.
The Colonel: So I do.
Eustace: Then why make all this fuss about a trifling wound? You ought to be grateful. It adds a touch of reality to your life.
The Colonel: Id rather you left me to supply the reality myself, Brill. However—(Mercia, true to her threat, embraces Eustace with fervour).... Now really, Mercia, upon my soul.... (He clicks his tongue with vexation.)