hall. Don't miss any.

(Exit JOHN SHAWN, R.)

(MRS. SHAWN recovers.)

JAMES. And what do you propose to do, madam?

JANET. (Who has been soothing MRS. SHAWN.) Me? What about?

JAMES. About this--this bigamy.

JANET. Oh, nothing. What are you thinking of doing?

(Re-enter JOHN SHAWN with post, which CARVE takes and begins
to read.)

JAMES. Well, I suppose you're aware that bigamy is a criminal offence?

JANET. There's a police-station in the Upper Richmond Road. Better call
there. It'll be so nice for you two, when you're flourishing about in
the pulpit, to think of your father in prison--won't it now?

JAMES. We, of course, should not prosecute. If you are prepared to go on
living with this gentleman as though nothing had happened--

JANET. Oh, I don't mind.

JAMES. Well, then, I doubt if we should interfere. But Mr. Texel's
lawyers are already in communication with the police.

JANET. (Stiffly.) I see. (An awkward pause during which everybody
except CARVE, who is reading his post, looks at everybody else.)
Well, then, I think that's about all, isn't it? (A shorter pause.)
Good-morning. (She bows to the curates, and shakes hands with MRS.
SHAWN.) (To MRS. SHAWN.) Now do take care of yourself.

MRS. S. (Weakly.) Thank you.

JOHN. Good-morning. Mother, take my arm, please.

JAMES. Good-morning.

JANET. Albert, they're going.

CARVE. (Looking up absently and only half rising, perfunctorily and
quickly) Good-morning. Good-morning. (Sits down.)

JANET. (To JAMES SHAWN, who is hovering near door L, uncertain of his
way out.) This way, this time!

(Exeunt the SHAWNS followed by JANET.)

(CARVE rises and draws curtains of window apart)

(Re-enter JANET.)

JANET. (Cheerfully) Oh, it's quite light! (Turns out gas.)

CARVE. (Gazing at her.) Incomparable woman!

JANET. So it's true after all!

CARVE. What?

JANET. All that rigmarole about you being Ilam Carve?

CARVE. You're beginning to come round at last?

JANET. Well, I think they were quite honest people--those three. There's
no doubt the poor creature once had a husband who did run off. And it
seems fairly clear his name was Albert Shawn, and he went away as valet
to an artist. But then, on the other hand, if there is one thing certain
in this world, it is that you were never married before you married me.
That I will swear to.

CARVE. And yet she identified me. She was positive.

JANET. Positive? That