Evans
[Overcome, his eyes on his shuffling feet and twiddling cap]
Thanks—I—I really don’t know how to thank—
Marsden
[Going to door—in his own voice now]
I’ve got to go home. My mother is waiting up for me. I’ll just carry Nina upstairs and put her on her bed and throw something over her.
Evans
Can’t I help you, Mr. Marsden?
Marsden
[Dully]
No. I cannot help myself.
[As Evans looks puzzled and startled he adds with an ironical, self-mocking geniality]
You’d better call me just Charlie after this.
[He smiles bitterly to himself as he goes out]
Evans
[Looks after him for a moment—then cannot restrain a joyful, coltish caper—gleefully]
Good egg! Good old Charlie!
[As if he had heard or guessed, Marsden’s bitter laugh comes back from the end of the hallway]
CURTAIN
