[_Grave and cold._] Good morning, Mr. Bush.
JAMES.
[_Aggressively._] Where's that man?
JOHN.
[_Raising his eyebrows._] It's usual to take one's hat off in other people's houses.
JAMES.
I'm a man of principle, I am; and I keep my 'at on to show it.
JOHN.
Ah, well, we won't discuss the point.
JAMES.
I want to see that man.
JOHN.
May I ask to whom you're referring? There are so many men in the world.
In fact, it's very over-crowded.
JAMES.
Who are you, I should like to know?
JOHN.
[_Politely._] My name is Halliwell. I had the pleasure of meeting you at Basil's rooms in Bloomsbury.
JAMES.
[_Aggressively._] I know that.
JOHN.
I beg your pardon. I thought you were asking for information.
JAMES.
I tell you I want to see my brother-in-law.
JOHN.
I'm afraid you can't.
JAMES.
I tell you I will see 'im. He's murdered my sister. He's a blackguard and a murderer, and I'll tell him so to his face.
JOHN.
[_Sarcastic._] Take care he doesn't hear you.
JAMES.
I want him to hear me. I'm not frightened of him. I should just like to see him touch me now. [_He sidles viciously to_ JOHN.] H'm, you tried to keep me out, did yer? Said I couldn't come to my sister's 'ouse--and kept me waitin' in the 'all like a tradesman. Oh, I'll make you all pay for this. I'll get my own back now. Measley set of West End curs, that's all you are.
JOHN.
Mr. Bush, you'll be so good as to keep a civil tongue in your mouth while you're here--and you'll talk less loudly.
JAMES.
[_Scornfully._] Who says so?
JOHN.
[_Looking at him quietly._] I do.
JAMES.
[_Less decisively._] Don't you try and bully me.
JOHN.
[_Pointing to a chair._] Won't you sit down?
JAMES.
No, I won't sit down. This ain't the 'ouse that a gentleman would sit down in. I'll be even with 'im yet. I'll tell the jury a pretty story.
He deserves to be strung up, he does.
JOHN.
I can't tell you how extremely sorry I am for what has happened.
JAMES.
Oh, don't try and get round me.
JOHN.
Really, Mr. Bush, you have no reason to be indignant with me.