we'd been together a long time,
and his death is a shock to me. Yes, really. But I've had to think so
much about my own case--and then a scene, a regular scene with Cyrus
Carve. And then you coming. The fact is----

JANET. (Sympathetically.) The fact is, you scarcely know what you're
doing, my poor Mr. Shawn. You're on wires, that's what's the matter with
you--hysteria. I know what it is as well as anybody. You'll excuse me
saying so, but you're no ordinary man. You're one of these highly-strung
people and you ought to take care of yourself. Well, I'll go now, and if
it's mutually agreeable we might perhaps meet again in a month's
time--say.

CARVE. A month? But what am I to do with myself for a month? Do you know
you're absolutely the only friend I've got in London--in England. We're
never here. I'm an utter stranger. You can't leave me like that--for a
month--four weeks--four Sundays. I haven't the least idea what's going
to happen to me.

JANET. The very best thing that can happen to you is bed. You go to bed
and stop there for a couple of days. There's nothing like it.

CARVE. Yes, but where?

JANET. Why, here of course.

CARVE. I've got to be out of this place in half an hour, less. The fact
is, Cyrus Carve has been extremely--er--pert. He's paid me a month's
salary and I'm off at once. In under thirty minutes I shall be on the
streets.

JANET. I never liked that man. Well, then, you must go to some nice
respectable boarding-house.

CARVE. But I don't know any nice respectable boarding-house.

JANET. Oh! There are thousands and thousands in London. Look in the
Telegraph.

CARVE. I haven't had a paper to-day.

JANET. Any day will do. They're in all the papers every day. What's
this? (Taking up folded dirty newspaper and opening it.) Now, let's
see. Well, what about this? "A beautiful private hotel of the highest
class. Luxuriously furnished. Visitors' comfort studied. Finest position
in London. Cuisine a speciality. Suitable for persons of superior rank.
Bathroom. Electric light. Separate tables. No irritating extras. Single
rooms from two and a half guineas. 250 Queen's Gate." Quite close by!
(CARVE says nothing.) Perhaps that's a bit dear. Here's another.
"Not a boarding-house. A magnificent mansion. Forty bedrooms by
Waring. Superb public saloons by Maple. Parisian chef. Separate tables.
Four bathrooms. Card-rooms. Billiard room. Vast lounge. Special
sanitation. Young, cheerful, musical society. Br