The clerk blenches and goes out, cowed.

The telephone rings.

AUGUSTUS [taking up the telephone receiver. Hallo. Yes: who are
you?...oh, Blueloo, is it?...Yes: there's nobody in the room:
fire away. What?...A spy!...A woman!...Yes: brought it down with
me. Do you suppose I'm such a fool as to let it out of my hands?
Why, it gives a list of all our anti-aircraft emplacements from
Ramsgate to Skegness. The Germans would give a million for it--
what?... But how could she possibly know about it? I haven't
mentioned it to a soul, except, of course, dear Lucy...Oh, Toto
and Lady Popham and that lot: they don't count: they're all
right. I mean that I haven't mentioned it to any Germans....
Pooh! Don't you be nervous, old chap. I know you think me a fool;
but I'm not such a fool as all that. If she tries to get it out
of me I'll have her in the Tower before you ring up again. [The
clerk returns.] Sh-sh! Somebody's just come in: ring off.
Goodbye. [He hangs up the receiver.]

THE CLERK. Are you engaged? [His manner is strangely softened.]

AUGUSTUS. What business is that of yours? However, if you will
take the trouble to read the society papers for this week, you
will see that I am engaged to the Honorable Lucy Popham, youngest
daughter of--

THE CLERK. That ain't what I mean. Can you see a female?

AUGUSTUS. Of course I can see a female as easily as a male. Do