I hope you spent yours
more profitably, (GERVASE laughs pleasantly) And what have you been
doing, Sandy?
MELISANDE. Wasting mine, too, Father.
MR. KNOWLE. Dear, dear. Well, they say that the wasted hours are the
best.
MELISANDE (moving to the door). I think I will go and---- (MRS. KNOWLE
comes in with outstretched hands)
MR. KNOWLE. My dear, this is Mr. Mallory.
MRS. KNOWLE. My dear Mr. Mallory! (Turning round) Sandy, dear!
(MELISANDE comes slowly back) How do you do?
GERVASE (shaking hands). How do you do?
MRS. KNOWLE. Sandy, dear! (to GERVASE) My daughter, Melisande, Mr.
Mallory. My only child.
GERVASE. Oh--er--we----
MELISANDE. Mr. Mallory and I have met, Mother.
MRS. KNOWLE (indicating JANE). And our dear Jane.
My dear sister's only daughter. But dear Jane has a brother. Dear
Harold! In the Civil Service. Sandy, dear, will you pour out tea?
MELISANDE (resigned). Yes, Mother. (She goes to the tea-table.)
MRS. KNOWLE (going to the sofa). I am such an invalid now, Mr.
Mallory----
GERVASE (helping her). Oh, I'm so sorry. Can I----?
MRS. KNOWLE. Thank you. Dr. Anderson insists on my resting as much as
possible. So my dear Melisande looks after the house for me. Such a
comfort.
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