VOICE. Salma do. (Fretfully.) I know I'm not fit to be seen.
AYAH. (Aside to G.) Say 'marneen'' same as breakfash.
CAPT. G. Good-morning, little woman. How are we to-day?
VOICE. That's Phil. Poor old Phil. (Viciously.)
Phil, you fool, I can't see you. Come nearer.
CAPT. G. Minnie! Minnie! It's me—you know me?
VOICE. (Mockingly.) Of course I do. Who does not know the man who was so cruel to his wife—almost the only one he ever had?
CAPT. G. Yes, dear. Yes—of course, of course. But won't you speak to him? He wants to speak to you so much.
VOICE. They'd never let him in. The Doctor would give darwaza bund even if he were in the house. He'll never come. (Despairingly.) O Judas! Judas! Judas!
CAPT. G. (Putting out his arms.) They have let him in, and he always was in the house. Oh, my love—don't you know me?
VOICE. (In a half chant.) 'And it came to pass at the eleventh hour that this poor soul repented.' It knocked at the gates, but they were shut—tight as a plaster—a great, burning plaster. They had pasted our marriage certificate all across the door, and it was made of red-hot iron—people really ought to be more careful, you know.