Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 147

f.a.n.n.y.

I'll make you a strong cup of tea. If you don't 'ave something to pull you together--I don't know what'll 'appen to you.

BASIL.

Yes, make it quickly, I'm thirsty.... And I'm so cold.

[_A ring at the front door is heard._

BASIL.

[_Jumping up._] There's some one at the door, f.a.n.n.y. Hurry up.

[_She goes out, and he follows her to the door of the room._

BASIL.

f.a.n.n.y, don't let any one up beside Mr. Halliwell. Say I can see no one.

[_He waits for a moment, anxiously._] Is that you, John?

JOHN.

[_Outside._] Yes.

BASIL.

[_To himself._] Thank G.o.d!

[JOHN _comes in_.

BASIL.

I thought you were never coming. I begged you to come at once.

JOHN.

I started immediately I got your wire.

BASIL.

It seems hours since the girl went to the post-office.

JOHN.

What's the matter?

BASIL.

[_Hoa.r.s.ely._] Don't you know? I thought I had said it in my telegram.

JOHN.

You simply wired that you were in great trouble.

BASIL.

I suppose I thought you'd see it in the papers.

JOHN.

What on earth d'you mean? I've not seen a paper. Where's your wife?

BASIL.

[_After a pause, almost in a whisper._] She's dead.

JOHN.

[_Thunderstruck._] Good G.o.d!

BASIL.

[_Impatiently._] Don't look at me like that. Isn't it plain enough?

Don't you understand?

JOHN.

But she was all right yesterday.

BASIL.

[_Dully._] Yes. She was all right yesterday.

JOHN.

For goodness sake tell me what you mean, Basil.

BASIL.

She's dead.... And she was all right yesterday.

[JOHN _does not understand. He is greatly distressed, and does not know what to say._

BASIL.

I killed her--as surely as if I'd strangled her with my own hands.

JOHN.