RUTH. He's not there.

c.o.kESON. [Uneasy] Are you related to the party?

RUTH. No, sir.

c.o.kESON. [In real embarra.s.sment] I don't know what to say. It's no affair of the office.

RUTH. But what am I to do?

c.o.kESON. Dear me! I can't tell you that.

SWEEDLE comes back. He crosses to the outer office and pa.s.ses through into it, with a quizzical look at c.o.keson, carefully leaving the door an inch or two open.

c.o.kESON. [Fortified by this look] This won't do, you know, this won't do at all. Suppose one of the partners came in!

An incoherent knocking and chuckling is heard from the outer door of the outer office.

SWEEDLE. [Putting his head in] There's some children outside here.

RUTH. They're mine, please.

SWEEDLE. Shall I hold them in check?

RUTH. They're quite small, sir. [She takes a step towards c.o.kESON]

c.o.kESON. You mustn't take up his time in office hours; we're a clerk short as it is.

RUTH. It's a matter of life and death.

c.o.kESON. [Again outraged] Life and death!

SWEEDLE. Here is Falder.

FALDER has entered through the outer office. He is a pale, good-looking young man, with quick, rather scared eyes. He moves towards the door of the clerks' office, and stands there irresolute.

c.o.kESON. Well, I'll give you a minute. It's not regular.

Taking up a bundle of papers, he goes out into the partners'

room.

RUTH. [In a low, hurried voice] He's on the drink again, Will. He tried to cut my throat last night. I came out with the children before he was awake. I went round to you.

FALDER. I've changed my digs.

RUTH. Is it all ready for to-night?

FALDER. I've got the tickets. Meet me 11.45 at the booking office.

For G.o.d's sake don't forget we're man and wife! [Looking at her with tragic intensity] Ruth!

RUTH. You're not afraid of going, are you?

FALDER. Have you got your things, and the children's?

RUTH. Had to leave them, for fear of waking Honeywill, all but one bag. I can't go near home again.

FALDER. [Wincing] All that money gone for nothing.

How much must you have?

RUTH. Six pounds--I could do with that, I think.

FALDER. Don't give away where we're going. [As if to himself] When I get out there I mean to forget it all.

RUTH. If you're sorry, say so. I'd sooner he killed me than take you against your will.

FALDER. [With a queer smile] We've got to go. I don't care; I'll have you.

RUTH. You've just to say; it's not too late.

FALDER. It is too late. Here's seven pounds. Booking office 11.45 to-night. If you weren't what you are to me, Ruth----!

RUTH. Kiss me!

They cling together pa.s.sionately, there fly apart just as c.o.kESON re-enters the room. RUTH turns and goes out through the outer office. c.o.kESON advances deliberately to his chair and seats himself.

c.o.kESON. This isn't right, Falder.

FALDER. It shan't occur again, sir.

c.o.kESON. It's an improper use of these premises.

FALDER. Yes, sir.

c.o.kESON. You quite understand-the party was in some distress; and, having children with her, I allowed my feelings----[He opens a drawer and produces from it a tract] Just take this! "Purity in the Home." It's a well-written thing.

FALDER. [Taking it, with a peculiar expression] Thank you, sir.

c.o.kESON. And look here, Falder, before Mr. Walter comes, have you finished up that cataloguing Davis had in hand before he left?

FALDER. I shall have done with it to-morrow, sir--for good.

c.o.kESON. It's over a week since Davis went. Now it won't do, Falder. You're neglecting your work for private life. I shan't mention about the party having called, but----

FALDER. [Pa.s.sing into his room] Thank you, sir.

c.o.kESON stares at the door through which FALDER has gone out; then shakes his head, and is just settling down to write, when WALTER How comes in through the outer Office. He is a rather refined-looking man of thirty-five, with a pleasant, almost apologetic voice.

WALTER. Good-morning, c.o.keson.

c.o.kESON. Morning, Mr. Walter.