THE PRIME MINISTER 13
Sir Robert.
A thousand apologies. It was nothing. My little
daughter's nurse had been telling the child some
foolish stories before she went to bed. Thought some
danger threatened her father, and couldn't be got
to sleep without seeing him. Any answer from the
Foreign Office?
Others.
No—nothing yet.
Sir Robert.
[Looks at watch] Time enough still. The Ultimatum does not expire until midnight. It's only
half-past ten. My sister-in-law has had a little cold
supper laid in the next room. Let us go in to it.
Others.
[Rising.] With pleasure!
Carfax.
[Going up.] An hour and a half yet.
Hallam.
[Going up.] They will be sure to wait until the last
moment.
Dundas
[Going up.] Sure to.
[The men are passing into room on left when a lady enters by door on right. It is Lady Dorothy Nugent, about thirty-five. She has an open letter in her hand.
Lady Dorothy.
Robert!
