He looks at GERVASE in amazement.)
MR. KNOWLE (pointing to his whiskey glass). But I haven't even begun
it yet. . . . Perhaps it's the port.
GERVASE (laughing). I'm awfully sorry. You must wonder what on earth
I'm doing.
MR. KNOWLE. No, no; I wondered what on earth _I'd_ been doing.
GERVASE. You see, I'm going to a fancy dress dance at Collingham.
MR. KNOWLE. You relieve my mind considerably.
GERVASE. That's why I didn't want to come in--or take my cloak off.
MR. KNOWLE (inspecting him). It becomes you extraordinarily well, if I
may say so.
GERVASE. Oh, thanks very much. But one feels rather absurd in it when
other people are in ordinary clothes.
MR. KNOWLE. On the contrary, you make other people feel absurd. I
don't know that that particular style would have suited me, but
(looking at himself) I am sure that I could have found something more
expressive of my emotions than this.
GERVASE. You're quite right. "Dress does make a difference, Davy."
MR. KNOWLE. It does indeed.
GERVASE. I feel it's almost wicked of me to be drinking a whiskey and
soda.
MR. KNOWLE. Very wicked. (Taking out his case) Have a cigarette, too?
GERVASE. May I have one of my own?
MR. KNOWLE. Do.
GERVASE (feeling for it).
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