Jane, Mr. Mallory is on
the Stock Exchange. Isn't that curious? I felt sure that he must be
directly I saw him.
(There is another awkward silence.)
JANE (getting up). Well, I'm afraid I must----
MELISANDE (pulling her down). Don't go, Jane. I suppose there are a
great many of you on the Stock Exchange, Mr. Mallory?
GERVASE. Oh, quite a lot.
MELISANDE. Quite a lot, Jane. . . . You don't know Bobby--Mr. Coote?
GERVASE. N--no, I don't think so.
MELISANDE. I suppose there are so many of you, and you dress so much
alike, and look so much alike, that it's difficult to be quite sure
whom you do know.
GERVASE. Yes, of course, that makes it more difficult.
MELISANDE. Yes. You see that, don't you, Jane? . . . You play billiards
and bridge, of course, Mr. Mallory?
GERVASE. Oh yes.
MELISANDE. They are absolutely top-hole games, aren't they? Are
you--pretty rotten at them?
GERVASE. Well----
MELISANDE (getting up). Ah, here's my father.
(Enter MR. KNOWLE)
MR. KNOWLE. Ah, Mr. Mallory, delighted to see you. And Sandy and Jane
to entertain you. That's right.
(They shake hands)
GERVASE. How do you do?
(ALICE comes in with tea)
MR. KNOWLE. I've been wasting my day at a sale.
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