Summary

The setting for this single-act play is in the sitting room of a ground-floor apartment in a large Victorian building providing accommodation for masters at a public school in the south of England. The large, gloomy room is conventionally and elegantly furnished, and a stained glad door leads to small garden. The apartment is occupied by school master Andrew Crocker-Harris and his wife, Millie. It is the largest apartment in the block that also has the privilege of a garden. To the rear of the room is another door, concealed by a screen, which gives access to the rest of the apartment.

There is a timid knocking at the door, which goes unanswered. It is followed by further knocking, then the cautious appearance of student John Taplow as he enters the room. Taplow, about 16 years old with glasses perched upon his...