to get out of it--little knowing. I
wonder if it would have made any difference if you had gone up with him
on--Oh, well, it doesn't matter now.

GERALD (defensively). What were you going to say?

PAMELA. Nothing. (Looking at him thoughtfully) Poor Gerald! it's been
bad for you too.

GERALD. You're not making it better by suggesting that I've let Bob down
in some way--I don't quite know how.

PAMELA (in distress). Oh, Gerald, don't be angry with me--I don't want
to hurt you. But I can only think of Bob now. You're so--you want so
little; Bob wants so much. Why doesn't he come? I sent a note round
to his rooms to say that I'd be here. Doesn't he have lunch here? Oh,
Gerald, suppose the case is over, and they've taken him to prison, and
I've never said good-bye to him. He said it wouldn't be over till this
evening, but how would he know? Oh, I can't bear it if they've taken him
away, and his only friend never said good-bye to him.

GERALD. Pamela, Pamela, don't be so silly. It's all right, dear; of
course I'm not angry with you. And of course Bob will be here. I rang up
Wentworth an hour ago, and he said the case can't end till this evening.

PAMELA (recovering). Sorry, Gerald, I'm being rather a fool.

GERALD (taking her hands). You're being--(There is a knock at the door,
and he turns round impatiently) Oh, what is it?

[Enter MASON.]

MASON (handing note). There's a telephone message been waiting for you,
sir. And her ladyship will be down directly.

GERALD. Thank you, Nanny. [Exit MASON.] (To PAMELA) May I? (He reads it)
Oh, I say, this is rather--this is from Wentworth. He's taken Bob round
to lunch with him.

PAMELA (going towards the door). I must go, Gerald. Mr. Wentworth won't
mind.

GERALD (stopping her). Look here, dear, it's going to be quite all
right. Wentworth rang up from his rooms; they're probably halfway
through lunch by now, and they'll be round in ten minutes.

PAMELA. Supposing he doesn't come? Supposing he didn't get my note? It
may be waiting for him in his rooms now.

GERALD. All right, then, darling, I'll ring him up.

PAMELA (determined). No. I'll do it. Yes, Gerald, I know how to manage
him. It isn't only that I must see him myself, but if--(bravely) if the
case is to be over this evening, and if what we fear is going to happen,
he must--oh, he must say good-bye to his mother too.

GERALD. Well, if that's all, I'll tell him.

PAMELA. He mightn't come for you. He will for m