MORE. You're right there!

OLIVE. [Pulling him down to her, and whispering] I must get back
again in secret. H'sh!

She suddenly runs and wraps herself into one of the curtains of
the bay window. A young man enters, with a note in his hand.

MORE. Hello, Steel!

[The street musicians have again begun to play.]

STEEL. From Sir John--by special messenger from the War Office.

MORE. [Reading the note] "The ball is opened."

He stands brooding over the note, and STEEL looks at him
anxiously. He is a dark, sallow, thin-faced young man, with the
eyes of one who can attach himself to people, and suffer with
them.

STEEL. I'm glad it's begun, sir. It would have been an awful pity
to have made that speech.

MORE. You too, Steel!

STEEL. I mean, if it's actually started----

MORE. [Tearing tie note across] Yes. Keep that to yourself.