le
do get better. That's my experience. Of course sometimes they take a
longish time. And now and then one dies--else what use would cemeteries
be? But as a general rule they're soon over it. Now am I going to see
Mr. Shawn, or shall I----

CARVE. Well, if you could call again----

JANET. You say you hadn't a message?

CARVE. Not precisely a message. But if you could call again----

JANET. When?

CARVE. (Rather eagerly.) Any time. Any time. Soon.

JANET. Night after to-morrow?

CARVE. Why not morning?

JANET. Perhaps morning is safer. Thank you. Very well, then. Day after
to-morrow.... I suppose Mr. Shawn has a rare fine situation here?

CARVE. (Shrugging his shoulders.) Nothing to complain of, if you ask
me.

(JANET offers her hand quite simply. The double doors open, CARVE
looks alarmed.)

JANET. Thank you very much. I think I can open the front door myself.

CARVE. I say--you won't forget?

JANET. Well, what do you think?

(Exit, L.)

(Enter DR. PASCOE through double doors.)

PASCOE. (At double doors, to HORNING invisible behind.) Then there's
no reason why the nurse at Edith Grove shouldn't come along here.

HORNING. (Off.) Yes. She'll be free in an hour.

PASCOE. All right. I'll look in there.

HORNING. (Nervous.) What am I to do if his respiration----

PASCOE. (Interrupting.) Don't worry. I'm not gone yet. I must just
clean up my hypodermic. Shut those doors.

(HORNING obeys.)

CARVE. What's this about a nurse?

PASCOE. (Busy with syringe, water, and syringe-case.) I'm sending one
in. (Ironically.) Do you see any objection?

CARVE. On the contrary, I should like him to be treated with every care.
He's invaluable to me.

PASCOE. (Staggered.) Invaluable to you! Of course in my line of
business I get used to meeting odd people----

CARVE. (Recovering from his mistake.) But you think I carry oddness
rather far?

PASCOE. The idea did pass through my mind.

CARVE. Nervousness--nothing but nervousness. I'm very nervous. And
then--you know the saying--like master, like man.

PASCOE. (Indicating back room with a gesture; in a slightly more
confidential tone as CARVE'S personal attractiveness gains on him.)
Mr. Carve odd?

CARVE. Oh, very. Always was. Ever since I've known him. You remember his
first picture at the Academy?

PASCOE. No, not exactly.

CARVE. Either you remember it exactly or you don't remember it at all.
Life-size picture of a policeman blowing his