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BROXOPP. You’re too late, Miss Johns.

MISS JOHNS. Oh, has somebody else——

BROXOPP. Twenty-four years too late. Now, if you’d come to me twenty-four years ago——

MISS JOHNS. But I was only six then. (Hastily) I mean, about six.

BROXOPP. Yes, if you’d come to me then—— ssss1(Thoughtfully) Broxopp’s Beans for Brahmas—Yes, I would have made that go. But not now. It wouldn’t be fair to the babies. I couldn’t do ’em both justice. (More to himself than to her) You see, Broxopp’s Beans for Babies—it isn’t just my living, it’s my whole life.

MISS JOHNS (getting up). I’m afraid I oughtn’t to have mentioned it.

BROXOPP. Oh, that’s all right. You’ll never get on if you don’t mention things. (Shaking hands) Well, good-bye. Mind, I shall expect to see that article—two, didn’t you say? And if there’s anything else you want to know—— (He stops beneath the picture on his way with her to the door) A pretty baby, wasn’t he?

MISS JOHNS. Lovely!

BROXOPP. Yes, my wife and I—— (The door begins to open) Ah, here she is. (He keeps his attention on the picture) Nancy, we were just looking—— Hullo, Jack!