"So here you are at last!" said Miss Verepoint, querulously. "The valet
told us you were expected back this morning, so we waited. Where on
earth have you been to, running away like this, without a word?"

"I only went----"

"Well, it doesn't matter where you went. The main point is, what are
you going to do about it?"

"We thought we'd better come along and talk it over," said R. P. de
Parys.

"Talk what over?" said Roland: "the revue?"

"Oh, don't try and be funny, for goodness' sake!" snapped Miss
Verepoint. "It doesn't suit you. You haven't the right shape of head.
What do you suppose we want to talk over? The theater, of course."

"What about the theater?"

Miss Verepoint looked searchingly at him. "Don't you ever read the
papers?"

"I haven't seen a paper since I went away."

"Well, better have it quick and not waste time breaking it gently,"
said Miss Verepoint. "The theater's been burned down--that's what's
happened."

"Burned down?"