that's worth waiting for. Anyway I'd rather not be torn limb from
limb. A messy finish! I can just see them rending me asunder in a
spasm of perfectly justifiable fury. 'She loves me!' Off comes a leg.
'She loves me not!' Off comes an arm. No, I think on the whole I'll
lie low. Besides, why should I care? Let 'em suffer. It's their own
fault. They _would_ come!"

Jill had been trying to interrupt the harangue. She was greatly
concerned.

"Did you _write_ the play?"

The man nodded.

"You are quite right to speak in that horrified tone. But, between
ourselves and on the understanding that you don't get up and denounce
me, I did."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"Not half so sorry as I am, believe me!"

"I mean, I wouldn't have said . . ."

"Never mind. You didn't tell me anything I didn't know." The lights
began to go down. He rose. "Well, they're off again. Perhaps you will
excuse me? I don't feel quite equal to assisting any longer at the
wake. If you want something to occupy your mind during the next act,
try to remember my name."