SUSAN.  The derivation of it in the dictionary.  It means the art of having meals with a person.  Cynics talk of the impossibility of sitting opposite the same woman every day at breakfast.  Impossible to them, perhaps, poor shallow-hearted creatures, but not impossible to two people who have found what love is.

GERVASE.  It doesn’t sound very romantic.

SUSAN (solemnly).  It is the most romantic thing in the whole world. . . . 
Some more cheese?

GERVASE (taking it).  Thank you. . . . (Thoughtfully) Do you believe in love at first sight, Master Susan?

SUSAN.  Why not?  If it’s the woman you love at first sight, not only the face.

GERVASE.  I see. (After a pause) It’s rather hard to tell, you know.  I suppose the proper thing to do is to ask her to have breakfast with you, and see how you get on.

SUSAN.  Well, you might do worse.

GERVASE (laughing).  And propose to her after breakfast?

SUSAN.  If you will.  It is better than proposing to her at a ball as some young people do, carried away suddenly by a snatched kiss in the moonlight.

GERVASE (shaking his head).  Nothing like that happened last night.

SUSAN.  What does the Great Alfred say of the kiss?

GERVASE.  I never read the Daily Mail.

SUSAN.  Tennyson, Mr. Mallory, Tennyson.

GERVASE.  Oh, I beg your pardon.

SUSAN.  “The kiss,” says the Great Alfred, “the woven arms, seem but to be weak symbols of the settled bliss, the comfort, I have found in thee.”  The same idea, Mr. Mallory.  Companionship, or the art of having breakfast with a person. (Getting up) Well, I must be moving on. We have been companions for a short time; I thank you for it.  I wish you well.

GERVASE (getting up).  I say, I’ve been awfully glad to meet you.  And I shall never forget the breakfast you gave me.

SUSAN.  It is friendly of you to say so.

GERVASE (hesitatingly).  You won’t mind my having another one when Ernest comes back—­I mean, if Ernest comes back?  You won’t think I’m slighting yours in any way?  But after an outdoor bathe, you know, one does——­

SUSAN.  Please!  I am happy to think you have such an appetite.

GERVASE (holding out his hand).  Well, good-bye, Mr. Susan, (SUSAN looks at his hand doubtfully, and GERVASE says with a laugh) Oh, come on!

SUSAN (shaking it).  Good-bye, Mr. Mallory.

GERVASE.  And I shan’t forget what you said.

SUSAN (smiling).  I expect you will, Mr. Mallory.  Good-bye.

    [He goes off.

GERVASE (calling after him).  Because it wasn’t the moonlight, it wasn’t really.  It was just Her. (To himself) It was just Her. . . .  I suppose the great Whatsisname would say, “It was just She,” but then, that isn’t what I mean.

(GERVASE watches him going down the hill.  Then he turns to the other side, says, “Hallo!” suddenly in great astonishment, and withdraws a few steps.)