[sitting down on the sofa] I believe Gilbey has found out.
MRS KNOX. What makes you think that?
KNOX. Well, I dont know: I didnt like to tell you: you have enough
to worry you without that; but Gilbey's been very queer ever since it
happened. I cant keep my mind on business as I ought; and I was
depending on him. But hes worse than me. Hes not looking after
anything; and he keeps out of my way. His manner's not natural. He
hasnt asked us to dinner; and hes never said a word about our not
asking him to dinner, after all these years when weve dined every week
as regular as clockwork. It looks to me as if Gilbey's trying to drop
me socially. Well, why should he do that if he hasnt heard?
MRS KNOX. I wonder! Bobby hasnt been near us either: thats what I
cant make out.
KNOX. Oh, thats nothing. I told him Margaret was down in Cornwall
with her aunt.
MRS KNOX. [reproachfully] Jo! [She takes her handkerchief from
the writing-table and cries a little].
KNOX. Well, I got to tell lies, aint I? You wont. Somebody's got to
tell em.
MRS KNOX. [putting away her handkerchief] It only ends in our not
knowing what to believe. Mrs Gilbey told me Bobby was in Brighton for
the sea air. Theres something queer about that. Gilbey would never
let the boy loose by himself among the temptations of a gay place like
Brighton without his tutor; and I saw the tutor in Kensington High
Street the very day she told me.
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