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[To, blunderingly]

Say, Charlie, I don’t want to hurry you but Nina wants some things at the store before it closes, and if you’d give me a lift—

[Dully]

Of course. Come along.

[He shakes hands with ]

Good night, Doctor—and thank you.

Good night.

[ goes, followed by ]

[Turns in the doorway and says meaningly]

Nina’ll be right down. For Pete’s sake, have a good heart-to-heart talk with her, Ned!

[Frowning—impatiently]

Oh—all right! Run along.

[ goes]

[ remains standing near the table looking after them, thinking about ]

Queer fellow, Marsden mother’s boy still  if she dies what will he do?

[Then dismissing with a shrug of his shoulders]

Oh, well, he can always escape life in a new book.

[He moves around the table examining its disorder critically, then sits down in armchair—amused]