sudden change of tone. I bet the entire street knows that the celebrated
Me has arrived at last. I feel like a criminal already, dashed if I
don't! I wish we'd gone to a hotel now. (Walks about.) I say, did you
make up the bed?

SHAWN. I was just doing it, sir.

CARVE. But what about sheets and so on?

SHAWN. I bought some this morning, ready hemmed, sir--with those and the
travelling rug----

CARVE. Well, don't you think you could work your passage out to the bed?
With my help?

SHAWN. Me in your bed, sir!

CARVE. (Genially bullying.) Keep on in that tone--and I'll give you
the sack on the spot. Now then. Try--before the doctor comes. (Bell
rings.)

SHAWN. The bell, sir--excuse me.

CARVE. Confound----

(Exit CARVE.)

(SHAWN coughs and puts a handkerchief to his mouth. CARVE
returns immediately with DR. PASCOE.)