I cannot say more than that. It may seem strange to you... Give me a match.

RICHARD

(Lights and offers him a match.) There is a faith still stranger than the faith of the disciple in his master.

ROBERT

And that is?

RICHARD

The faith of a master in the disciple who will betray him.

ROBERT

The church lost a theologian in you, Richard. But I think you look too deeply into life. (He rises, pressing Richard's arm slightly.) Be gay. Life is not worth it.

RICHARD

(Without rising.) Are you going?

ROBERT

Must. (He turns and says in a friendly tone.) Then it is all arranged. We meet tonight at the vicechancellor's. I shall look in at about ten. So you can have an hour or so to yourselves first. You will wait till I come?

RICHARD

Good.

ROBERT

One more match and I am happy.

(Richard strikes another match, hands it to him and rises also. Archie comes in by the door on the left, followed by Beatrice.)

ROBERT

Congratulate me, Beatty. I have won over Richard.

ARCHIE

(Crossing to the door on the right, calls.) Mamma, Miss Justice is going.

BEATRICE

On what are you to be congratulated?

ROBERT

On a victory, of course. (Laying his hand lightly on Richard's shoulder.) The descendant of Archibald Hamilton Rowan has come home.

RICHARD

I am not a descendant of Hamilton Rowan.

ROBERT

What matter? (Bertha comes in from the right with a bowl of roses.)

BEATRICE

Has Mr Rowan...?

ROBERT

(Turning towards Bertha.) Richard is coming tonight to the vicechancellor's dinner. The fatted calf will be eaten: roast, I hope. And next session will see the descendant of a namesake of etcetera, etcetera in a chair of the university. (He offers his hand.) Good afternoon, Richard. We shall meet tonight.

RICHARD

(Touches his hand.) At Philippi.

BEATRICE

(Shakes hands also.) Accept my best wishes, Mr Rowan.

RICHARD

Thanks. But do not believe him.

ROBERT

(Vivaciously.) Believe me, believe me. (To Bertha.) Good afternoon, Mrs Rowan.

BERTHA

(Shaking hands, candidly.) I thank you, too. (To Beatrice.) You won't stay to tea, Miss Justice?

BEATRICE

No, thank you. (Takes leave of her.) I must go. Good afternoon. Goodbye, Archie (going).

ROBERT

Addio, Archibald.

ARCHIE

Addio.

ROBERT

Wait, Beatty. I shall accompany you.

BEATRICE

(Going out on the right with Bertha.) O, don't trouble.

ROBERT

(Following her.) But I insist-- as a cousin.

(Bertha, Beatrice and Robert go out by the door on the left. Richard stands irresolutely near the table. Archie closes the door leading to the hall and, coming over to him, plucks him by the sleeve.)

ARCHIE

I say, pappie!

RICHARD

(Absently.) What is it?

ARCHIE

I want to ask you a thing.

RICHARD

(Sitting on the end of the lounge, stares in front of him.) What is it?

ARCHIE

Will you ask mamma to let me go out in the morning with the milkman?

RICHARD

With the milkman?

ARCHIE

Yes. In the milkcar. He says he will let me drive when we get on to the roads where there are no people. The horse is a very good beast.