at the other end. The fireplace is behind this chair; and the door is
next the fireplace, between it and the corner. An arm-chair stands
beside the coal-scuttle. In the middle of the back wall is the
sideboard, parallel to the table. The rest of the furniture is mostly
dining-room chairs, ranged against the walls, and including a baby
rocking-chair on the lady's side of the room. The lady is a placid
person. Her husband, Mr Robin Gilbey, not at all placid, bursts
violently into the room with a letter in his hand._

GILBEY. [grinding his teeth] This is a nice thing. This is a b--

MRS GILBEY. [cutting him short] Leave it at that, please.
Whatever it is, bad language wont make it better.

GILBEY. [bitterly] Yes, put me in the wrong as usual. Take your
boy's part against me. [He flings himself into the empty chair
opposite her].

MRS GILBEY. When he does anything right, hes your son. When he does
anything wrong hes mine. Have you any news of him?

GILBEY. Ive a good mind not to tell you.

MRS GILBEY. Then dont. I suppose hes been found. Thats a comfort,
at all events.

GILBEY. No, he hasnt been found. The boy may be at the bottom of the
river for all you care. [Too agitated to sit quietly, he rises and
paces the room distractedly].