Furness. Yes.
Staffurth. Yes. I ought to have spoken to you about it before, but I have been very busy lately at the House. The Government is bringing in its Bill for the Abolition of Telephones on the Stage, and it is necessary for the full strength of the Opposition to be there. As I said in my speech, any such Bill would, to take a case, ruin Mr. Temple Thurston's new play at the Haymarket, and recent by-elections have shown that the country was—— However, I need not bother you with that. The point is that I have at last managed to get away to see you, and I want to know what it is you propose to do.
Furness. I'm going to send in my papers and take your wife away with me.
Staffurth. Ah! Then perhaps before you ruin your career I'd better tell you what the doctors say about her, She is not——
Furness (impatiently). My dear chap, I know. She told me last night. But it's all right, I don't much care for them myself.
Staffurth.—— not likely to live for more than eighteen months.
Furness. My God!
Staffurth. That's what we all said several times when we heard it. Well?
Furness. Well, I mean, this wants thinking about. I had no—— My career—only eighteen months——
Staffurth (breaking out at last). You beastly egotist! You think of nothing but your rotten career. You cur, you hound, you dog! You——