Jabez (_Interrupting_). It's not that I won't, I can't, and there's an end of it.
(_Enter John Bunting. John bears some outward signs of similarity to Jabez. Like Jabez, he is elderly and corpulent. But, though hardly less assertive in tone at first, there is an underlying furtiveness, and he is extremely deferential to Jabez even while assuming an equal camaraderie with him. He wears a frock coat and has evidently modelled himself on Jabez. Clavering rises and goes r.c._)
Jabez (_Patronizingly_). Oh, good evening, John. (_Jabez does not rise._)
John. Good evening. (_Crossing r._) Good evening, Dr. Clavering. (_Clavering bows--the Butler remains._)
Butler (_Very importantly_). Dr. Clavering's housekeeper, sir, have telephoned from his surgery as he's wanted.
Clav. (_Briskly_). Oh, I'll come at once. Excuse me, won't you? (_Crossing to door l._)
Butler (_Raising his hand. Clavering stops astonished_). It's at the works you're wanted, sir. An accident, I believe.
Clav. The works! (_To Jabez._) Shall you come? Jabez. I? Certainly not. You're the man they want, not I. Sit down, John. (_Jabez moves John to the chair Rosie had occupied at table r. John sits._)
Jabez. You needn't trouble. Bad news travels fast enough. Good night.
(_Exit Clavering, l., followed by Butler._)
Jabez. That young man's growing officious. A whisky, John. (_Pours._) Have a cigar?
John. Thanks. Yours are too good to refuse. Jabez. Where's Charlie? Isn't he with you? John. No. He's not been home to dinner. Still at the works I suppose.
Jabez. Yes. (_Pause._) I always did say a good cigar was the best part of a dinner.
John. You're right there. When all's said and done, Jabez a good liver's got a lot to do with happiness. Thank goodness, mine doesn't trouble me.
Jabez. Nor mine. I've no patience with these modern fads--mustn't eat this and that and all that kind of rubbish. If I fancied a thing I had it, and damn the expense. Look at me to-day, sir. (_Smacking his chest._) Sound, sir, sound as a bell.
John (_Playing up to him_). We've lived, Jabez, there's no doubt about it. We've gone the pace in our time.
Jabez (_Fiercely, as if contradicted_). And why not? You tell me that. Give me a good time, I say. That's my motto, and by Heaven I've lived up to it.