CLAIRE: (_only now taking her hand from her mouth_) Harry, tell him to come up here--that insanity man. I--want to ask him something.
HARRY: 'Insanity man!' How absurd. He's a nerve specialist. There's a vast difference.
CLAIRE: Is there? Anyway, ask him to come up here. Want to--ask him something.
TOM: (_speaking with difficulty_) Wouldn't it be better for us to go down there?
CLAIRE: No. So nice up here! Everybody--up here!
HARRY: (_worried_) You'll--be yourself, will you, Claire? (_She checks a laugh, nods_.) I think he can help you.
HARRY: (_as he is starting down_) He's here as a guest to-night, you know, Claire.
TOM: (_when the silence rejects it_) Claire, you must know, it's because it is so much, so--
CLAIRE: Be still. There isn't anything to say.
TOM: (_torn--tortured_) If it only weren't _you_!
CLAIRE: Yes,--so you said. If it weren't. I suppose I wouldn't be so--interested! (_hears them starting up below--keeps looking at the place where they will appear_)
(HARRY _is heard to call_, 'Coming, Dick?' _and_ DICK's _voice replies_, 'In a moment or two.' ADELAIDE _comes first_.)
ADELAIDE: (_as her head appears_) Well, these stairs should keep down weight. You missed an awfully good dinner, Claire. And kept Mr Edgeworth from a good dinner.
CLAIRE: Yes. We missed our dinner. (_her eyes do not leave the place where_ DR EMMONS _will come up_)
HARRY: (_as he and_ EMMONS _appear_) Claire, this is--
CLAIRE: Yes, I know who he is. I want to ask you--
ADELAIDE: Let the poor man get his breath before you ask him anything. (_he nods, smiles, looks at_ CLAIRE _with interest. Careful not to look too long at her, surveys the tower_)
ADELAIDE: Yes; it lacks form, doesn't it?
CLAIRE: What do you mean? How _dare_ you?
(_It is impossible to ignore her agitation; she is backed against the curved wall, as far as possible from them._ HARRY _looks at her in alarm, then in resentment at_ TOM, _who takes a step nearer_ CLAIRE.)
HARRY: (_trying to be light_) Don't take it so hard, Claire.
CLAIRE: (_to_ EMMONS) It must be very interesting--helping people go insane.
EMMONS: (_easily_) I hope that's not precisely what we do.
ADELAIDE: (_with the smile of one who is going to 'cover it'._) Trust Claire to put it in the unique and--amusing way.