FANNY.
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, Fanny. Hurry up.
[_She goes out, and he follows her to the door of the room._
BASIL.
Fanny, 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 God!
[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.
[_Hoarsely._] 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 God!
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.