)
MR. KNOWLE. Ah, here we are. (ALICE puts down the whiskey.) You've
told Peters?
ALICE. Yes, sir. He's looking after it now.
MR. KNOWLE. That's right, (ALICE goes out.) You'll have some whiskey,
won't you?
GERVASE. Thanks very much.
(He comes to the table.)
MR. KNOWLE. And do take your coat off, won't you, and make yourself
comfortable?
GERVASE. Er--thanks. I don't think---- (He smiles to himself and keeps
his cloak on.)
MR. KNOWLE (busy with the drinks). Say when.
GERVASE. Thank you.
MR. KNOWLE. And soda?
GERVASE. Please. . . . Thanks!
(He takes the glass.)
MR. KNOWLE (giving himself one). I'm so glad you came, because I have
a horror of drinking alone. Even when my wife gives me cough-mixture,
I insist on somebody else in the house having cough-mixture too. A
glass of cough-mixture with an old friend just before going to bed----
(He looks up) But do take your coat off, won't you, and sit down and
be comfortable?
GERVASE. Er--thanks very much, but I don't think---- (With a shrug and
a smile) Oh, well! (He puts down his glass and begins to take it off.
He is in fancy dress--the wonderful young Prince in blue and gold of
MELISANDE'S dream.)
(MR. KNOWLE turns round to him again just as he has put his cloak
down.
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