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.  You are not married yourself, Mr. Mallory?

GERVASE.  No.  Oh no.

MRS. KNOWLE (smiling to herself).  Ah!

MELISANDE.  Jane, Mother’s tea. (JANE takes it.)

GERVASE (coming forward).  Oh, I beg your pardon.  Let me——­

JANE.  It’s all right.

(GERVASE takes up a cake-stand.)

MR. KNOWLE.  Where’s Bobby?  Bobby is the real expert at this.

MELISANDE.  I expect Mr. Mallory is an expert, too, Father.  You enjoy tea-parties, I expect, Mr. Mallory?

GERVASE.  I enjoy most things, Miss Knowle. (To MRS. KNOWLE) What will you have?

MRS. KNOWLE.  Thank you.  I have to be careful.  Dr. Anderson insists on my being careful, Mr. Mallory. (Confidentially) Nothing organic, you understand.  Both my husband and I—­Melisande has an absolutely sound constitution.

MELISANDE (indicating cup).  Jane . . .  Sugar and milk, Mr. Mallory?

GERVASE.  Please. (To MR. KNOWLE) Won’t you have this, sir?

MR. KNOWLE.  No thank you.  I have a special cup.

(He takes a large cup from MELISANDE).  A family tradition, Mr. Mallory.  But whether it is that I am supposed to require more nourishment than the others, or that I can’t be trusted with anything breakable, History does not relate.

GERVASE (laughing).  Well, I think you’re lucky.  I like a big cup.

MR. KNOWLE.  Have mine.

GERVASE.  No, thanks.

BOBBY (coming in).  Hallo!  Tea?

MR. KNOWLE.  Ah, Bobby, you’re just in time. (to GERVASE) This is Mr.
Coote.  Bobby, this is Mr. Mallory. (They nod to each other and say,
“How do you do?”)