BOB, says utterly unexpectedly) And now, damn you! will you shake
hands?

BOB (incoherent with surprise). What do you--I--you didn't--
(GERALD'S hand is still held out, and he is smiling.) Oh, Jerry!
(He takes the hand.)

GERALD. That's all right. Good-bye, Bob, and good luck.

BOB (bewildered). Good-bye. (He tuns round and goes towards the
door. Half-way there, he looks over his shoulder and says awkwardly)
Had rather a rotten time in prison. (GERALD nods. At the door BOB
says) Pamela and I--

[With rather a forced smile, GERALD nods again, and BOB goes out.]

(Left alone, GERALD stands looking into the fire and thinking. He
tries sitting down to see if that will make thinking any pleasanter;
then he tries standing up again. He goes to the door in front of the
staircase and opens it to see if there is anybody there; then he
goes to the windows at the back and looks through them. Evidently he
sees somebody, for he beckons and then returns to his old place by
the fire. In a few moments LETTY and TOMMY come in.)

TOMMY (excitedly). I say, has Bob come?

GERALD. Why?

TOMMY. I could have sworn we saw him just now as we were coming in.
At least, Letty swore she did--