Carve. (Shrugging his shoulders.) I used to—­a little.

Honoria.  I was sure of it.  Well, you can be as sarcastic as you like, but do you know what I was thinking during the service?  I was thinking if only he could have seen it—­if only Ilam Carve could have seen it—­instead of lying cold in that coffin under that wreath, he’d—­(Hesitating.)

Carve. (Interrupting her, in a different, resolved tone.) Miss Looe, I suppose you’re on very confidential terms with your uncle.

Honoria.  Naturally.  Why?

Carve.  Will you give him a message from me.  He’ll do perhaps better than anybody.

Honoria.  With pleasure.

Carve. (Moved.) It is something important—­very important indeed.  In fact—­

     (Janet goes into bedroom, but keeping near the doorway does not
     actually disappear.)

Honoria. (Soothingly, and a little frightened.) Now, please, Mr. Shawn!  Please don’t frighten us as you did the other day.  Please do try and keep calm!

Carve.  I—­(He suddenly stands up and then falls back again into chair.)

     (Janet returns quickly to the room)

Honoria. (Alarmed, to Janet.) I’m afraid he isn’t quite well yet.

Carve.  No, I can’t tell you.  At least, not now.  Thanks very much for calling. (Rises brusquely and walks towards the bedroom door.)

Janet. (To Honoria.) He’s not really strong enough to see visitors.

Honoria. (Going to door and trying to be confidential.) What is it?

Janet. (With tranquillity.) Oh, influenza.  Sometimes it takes ’em in the head and sometimes in the stomach.  It’s taken him in the head.

Honoria.  Charming man!  I don’t suppose there’s the least likelihood of it—­he’s evidently very well off—­but if he should be wanting a situation similar to his last, I’m sure my uncle——­

Janet. (Positively and curtly.) I don’t think so.

Honoria.  Of course you know him very well?

Janet.  Well, it’s like this.  I’m his cousin.  We aren’t exactly engaged to be married——­

Honoria. (In a changed tone.) Oh, I see!  Good afternoon.

Janet.  Good afternoon.

     (Exit Honoria.)

Carve. (Who has hesitatingly wandered back towards centre; in a quite different tone now that he is alone again with Janet.) What’s this about being engaged to be married?

Janet. (Smiling.) I was telling her we weren’t engaged to be married.  That’s true, I suppose?

Carve.  But are we cousins?

Janet.  Yes.  I’ve got my reputation to think about.  I don’t want to coddle it, but there’s no harm in just keeping an eye on it.

Carve.  I see. (Sits down.)