f.a.n.n.y.
I"ll make you a strong cup of tea. If you don"t "ave something to pull you together--I don"t know what"ll "appen to you.
BASIL.
Yes, make it quickly, I"m thirsty.... And I"m so cold.
[_A ring at the front door is heard._
BASIL.
[_Jumping up._] There"s some one at the door, f.a.n.n.y. Hurry up.
[_She goes out, and he follows her to the door of the room._
BASIL.
f.a.n.n.y, don"t let any one up beside Mr. Halliwell. Say I can see no one.
[_He waits for a moment, anxiously._] Is that you, John?
JOHN.
[_Outside._] Yes.
BASIL.
[_To himself._] Thank G.o.d!
[JOHN _comes in_.
BASIL.
I thought you were never coming. I begged you to come at once.
JOHN.
I started immediately I got your wire.
BASIL.
It seems hours since the girl went to the post-office.
JOHN.
What"s the matter?
BASIL.
[_Hoa.r.s.ely._] Don"t you know? I thought I had said it in my telegram.
JOHN.
You simply wired that you were in great trouble.
BASIL.
I suppose I thought you"d see it in the papers.
JOHN.
What on earth d"you mean? I"ve not seen a paper. Where"s your wife?
BASIL.
[_After a pause, almost in a whisper._] She"s dead.
JOHN.
[_Thunderstruck._] Good G.o.d!
BASIL.
[_Impatiently._] Don"t look at me like that. Isn"t it plain enough?
Don"t you understand?
JOHN.
But she was all right yesterday.
BASIL.
[_Dully._] Yes. She was all right yesterday.
JOHN.
For goodness sake tell me what you mean, Basil.
BASIL.
She"s dead.... And she was all right yesterday.
[JOHN _does not understand. He is greatly distressed, and does not know what to say._
BASIL.
I killed her--as surely as if I"d strangled her with my own hands.
JOHN.