-Error in wording of telegram.--Call me up.-- [_Turning
quickly to the telephone._] The man can't mean that she's
still--Hello! Hello! [JOHN _listens._

FIDDLER. Would like to have a word with you, sir--

JOHN. Hello, Central!

FIDDLER. That mare--

JOHN. [_Consulting the letter, and speaking into the 'phone._] 33246a
38! Did you get it?

FIDDLER. That mare, sir, she's got a touch of malaria--

JOHN. [_At the 'phone._] Hello, Central--33246a--38!--Clayton
Osgood--yes, yes, and say, Central--get a move on you!

FIDDLER. If you think well of it, sir, I'll give her a tonic--

JOHN. [_Still at the 'phone._] Hello! Yes--yes--Jack Karslake. Is that
you, Clayton? Yes--yes--well--

FIDDLER. Or if you like, sir, I'll give her--

JOHN. [_Turning on_ FIDDLER.] Shut up! [_To 'phone._] What was that?
Not you--not you--a technical error? You mean to say that Mrs.
Karslake is still--my--Hold the wire, Central--get off the wire! Get
off the wire! Is that you, Clayton? Yes, yes--she and I are still--I
got it! Good-bye! [_He hangs up the receiver; falls back into a chair.
For a moment he is overcome. He takes up telephone book._

FIDDLER. All very well, Mr. Karslake, but I must know if I'm to give
her--

JOHN. [_Turning over the leaves of the telephone book in hot haste._]
What's Phillimore's number?

FIDDLER. If you've no objections, I think I'll give her a--

JOHN. L--M--N--O--P--It's too late! She's married by this!
Married!--and--my God--I--I am the cause. Phillimore--

FIDDLER. I'll give her--

JOHN. Give her wheatina!--give her grape-nuts--give her away!
[FIDDLER, _biding his time, walks toward the window._] Only be quiet!
Phillimore!

[SIR WILFRID _comes in._

SIR WILFRID. Hello! We'd almost given you up!

JOHN. [_In his agitation unable to find_ Phillimore's _number._] Just
a moment! I'm trying to get Phillimore on the 'phone to--to tell Mrs.
Karslake--

SIR WILFRID. No good, my boy--she's on her way here! [JOHN _drops the
book and looks up dumbfounded._] The Reverend Matthew was here, y'
see--and he said--

JOHN. [_Rising, turns._] Mrs. Karslake is coming here? [SIR WILFRID
_nods._] To this house? Here?

SIR WILFRID. That's right.

JOHN. Coming here? You're sure? [SIR WILFRID _nods assent._] Fiddler,
I want you to stay here, and if Mrs. Karslake comes, don't fail to let
me know! Now then, for heaven's sake, what did Matthew say to you?

SIR WILFRID. Come along in and I'll tell you.