ALICE. 'Deception? Amy, Steve, I do believe he thinks that this is as much a surprise to me as it is to him! Why, Robert, I have known about it ever since I saw Amy alone this afternoon. She told me at once. Then in came Steve, and he--' COLONEL. 'Is it as bad as that!' ALICE. 'As what, dear?' COLONEL. 'That my wife must lie to me.' ALICE. 'Oh, Robert.' COLONEL. 'I am groping only, but I can see now that you felt there was something wrong from the first. How did you find out?' ALICE, imploringly, 'Robert, they are engaged to be married; it was foolish of them not to tell you; but, oh, my dear, leave it at that.' COLONEL. 'Why did you ask Amy to follow us here?' ALICE. 'So that we could all be together when we broke it to you, dear.' COLONEL. 'Another lie! My shoulders are broad; why shouldn't I have it to bear as well as you?' ALICE. 'There is nothing to bear but just a little folly.' COLONEL. 'Folly! And neither of them able to say a word?' Indeed they are very cold lovers; Amy's lip is curled at Steve. To make matters worse, the cupboard door, which has so far had the decency to remain quiet, now presumes to have its say. It opens of itself a few inches, creaking guiltily. Three people are so startled that a new suspicion is roused in the fourth. ALICE, who can read his face so well, 'She wasn't there, Robert, she wasn't.' COLONEL. 'My God! I understand now; she didn't follow us; she hid there when I came.' ALICE. 'No, Robert, no.' He goes into the cupboard and returns with something in his hand, which he gives to Amy. COLONEL. 'Your other glove, Amy.' ALICE. 'I can't keep it from you any longer, Robert; I have done my