The church clock strikes the first quarter.

THE DAUGHTER

[in the space between the central pillars, close to the one on her left] I'm getting chilled to the bone. What can Freddy be doing all this time? Hes been gone twenty minutes.

THE MOTHER

[On her daughter's right] Not so long. But he ought to have got us a cab by this.

A BYSTANDER

[on the lady's right] He wont get no cab not until half-past eleven, missus, when they come back after dropping their theatre fares.

THE MOTHER

But we must have a cab. We cant stand here until half-past eleven. It's too bad.

THE BYSTANDER

Well, it aint my fault, missus.

THE DAUGHTER

If Freddy had a bit of gumption, he would have got one at the theatre door.

THE MOTHER

What could he have done, poor boy?

THE DAUGHTER

Other people got cabs. Why couldnt he?

Freddy rushes in out of the rain from the Southampton Street side, and comes between them closing a dripping umbrella. He is a young man of twenty, in evening dress, very wet around the ankles.

THE DAUGHTER

Well, havnt you got a cab?

FREDDY

Theres not one to be had for love or money.

THE MOTHER

Oh, Freddy, there must be one. You cant have tried.

THE DAUGHTER