Excerpt:.on her. (An electric bell rings twice.) PROSERPINE (gathering up her notbook and papers). That's for me. (She hurries out.) BURGESS (calling after her). Oh, we can spare you. (Somewhat relieved by the triumph of having the last word, and yet half inclined to try to improve on it, he looks after her for a moment; then subsides into his seat by Eugene, and addresses him very confidentially.) Now we're alone, Mr. Morchbanks, let me give you a friendly 'int that I wouldn't give to everybody. 'Ow long 'ave you known my son-in-law James here? MARCHBANKS. I don't know. I never can remember dates. A few months, perhaps. BURGESS. Ever notice anything queer about him? MARCHBANKS. I don't think so. BURGESS (impressively). No more you wouldn't. That's the danger in it. Well, he's mad. MARCHBANKS. Mad! BURGESS. Mad as a Morch 'are. You take notice on him and you'll see. MARCHBANKS (beginning). But surely that is only because his opinions— BURGESS (touching him with his forefinger on his knee, and pressing it as if to hold his attention with it). That's wot I used tee think, Mr. Morchbanks. Hi thought long enough that it was honly 'is hopinions; though, mind you, hopinions becomes vurry serious things when people takes to hactin on 'em as 'e does. But that's not wot I go on. (He looks round to make sure that they are alone, and bends over to Eugene's ear.) Wot do you think he says to me this mornin' in this very room? MARCHBANKS. What? BURGESS. He sez to me—this is as sure as we're settin' here now—he sez: "I'm a fool," he sez;—"and yore a scounderl"—as cool as possible. Me a scounderl, mind you! And then shook 'ands with me on it, as if it was to my credit! Do you mean to tell me that that man's sane? MORELL. (outside, calling to Proserpine, holding the door open). Get all their names and addresses, Miss Garnett. PROSERPINE (in the distance). Yes, Mr. Morell. (Morell comes in, with the deputation's documents in his hands.) BURGESS.