More. [Moving out on to the terrace] Nice quiet night!

Steel.  This to the Cottage Hospital—­shall I say you will preside?

More.  No.

Steel writes; then looking up and seeing that more is no longer there, he goes to the window, looks to right and left, returns to the bureau, and is about to sit down again when a thought seems to strike him with consternation.  He goes again to the window.  Then snatching up his hat, he passes hurriedly out along the terrace.  As he vanishes, Katherine comes in from the hall.  After looking out on to the terrace she goes to the bay window; stands there listening; then comes restlessly back into the room.  Olive, creeping quietly from behind the curtain, clasps her round the waist.

Katherine.  O my darling!  How you startled me!  What are you doing down here, you wicked little sinner!

Olive.  I explained all that to Daddy.  We needn’t go into it again, need we?

Katherine.  Where is Daddy?

Olive.  Gone.

Katherine.  When?

Olive.  Oh! only just, and Mr. Steel went after him like a rabbit. [The music stops] They haven’t been paid, you know.

Katherine.  Now, go up at once.  I can’t think how you got down here.

Olive.  I can. [Wheedling] If you pay them, Mummy, they’re sure to play another.

Katherine.  Well, give them that!  One more only.

     She gives Olive a coin, who runs with it to the bay window,
     opens the aide casement, and calls to the musicians.

Olive.  Catch, please!  And would you play just one more?

     She returns from the window, and seeing her mother lost in
     thought, rubs herself against her.

Olive.  Have you got an ache?

Katharine.  Right through me, darling!

Olive.  Oh!

     [The musicians strike up a dance.]

Olive.  Oh!  Mummy!  I must just dance!

She kicks off her lisle blue shoes, and begins dancing.  While she is capering Hubert comes in from the hall.  He stands watching his little niece for a minute, and Katherine looks at him.

Hubert.  Stephen gone!

Katherine.  Yes—­stop, Olive!

Olive.  Are you good at my sort of dancing, Uncle?

Hubert.  Yes, chick—­awfully!

Katherine.  Now, Olive!

     The musicians have suddenly broken off in the middle of a bar. 
     From the street comes the noise of distant shouting.

Olive.  Listen, Uncle!  Isn’t it a particular noise?

Hubert and Katherine listen with all their might, and Olive stares at their faces.  Hubert goes to the window.  The sound comes nearer.  The shouted words are faintly heard:  “Pyper——­ war——­our force crosses frontier—­sharp fightin’——­pyper.”

Katherine. [Breathless] Yes!  It is.