(JOHN groans again very loudly. All rise. MAMIE gets behind arm-chair. TRIPPETT drags chair up to table L.C. keeping eyes on door R. all the time. TULLY stands by chair L. gazing at door R.)
(JOHN enters groaning from door R.; he is in pyjamas, with a blanket wrapped round him. MAMIE assists him into arm-chair, JOHN groaning all the time.)
TRIPPETT (advancing timidly to JOHN). Er—Mr. Ayers—are you the injured person?
JOHN. Oh—oh—oh oh!! (Groans.)
TRIPPETT (again advancing cautiously). Might I ask if you are the injured person?
JOHN. Don’t I look like it. Do you think I’m doing this to be funny?
MAMIE (patting JOHN’S head). P-o-or John!
TULLY. Poor John!
TRIPPETT (glares at TULLY—then over to him). Do you think it would be advisable for me to call another day?