LADY CREECH [loudly, to HAWCASTLE].  Hawcastle, can you tell me how much longer these persons intend to remain here listening to our conversation?

[PIKE half turns to LADY CREECH, innocently puzzled.]

HAWCASTLE.  Oh, it isn’t that; but it’s somewhat annoying not to be allowed to read one’s paper in peace.

HORACE.  Quite beastly annoying!

LADY CREECH.  I had a distinct impression that the management had reserved this terrace for our party.

VASILI [quietly].  I fear we have disturbed these good people.

PIKE [in wonder].  Do you think they’re hinting at us?

VASILI.  I fear so.

PIKE [gently and with sincere amazement].  Why, we haven’t done anything to ’em.

VASILI.  No, my friend.

PIKE [smiling].  Well, I guess there ain’t any bones broken.

HORACE [throws down paper angrily on tea-table].  I can’t stand this.  I shall go for a stroll.

PIKE [rising].  I expect it’s about time for me to go and find the two young folks I’ve come to look after.

VASILI.  You are here for a duty, then?

PIKE [with gravity, yet smiling faintly].  I shouldn’t be surprised if that was the name for it.  Yes, sir, all the way from Indiana.

[ETHEL utters a low cry of fear.]

[HORACE, having secured his hat, is just rising to go, drops back into his chair with a stifled exclamation of dismay.]

[HAWCASTLE lays his paper flat on table.  All this instantaneous.]

HAWCASTLE.  By Jove!

[They all stare at PIKE.]

PIKE [continuing].  I expect, prob’ly, Doc, I won’t be able to eat with you this evening.  You see—­[he pauses, somewhat embarrassed]—­you see, I’ve come a mighty long ways to look after her, and she, prob’ly—­that is, they’ll prob’ly want me to have supper with them.

[The latter part of this speech is spoken rather breathlessly, though not rapidly, and almost tremulously, and with a growing smile that is like a confession.]

VASILI.  Do not trouble for me.  Your young people, they have a villa?

PIKE.  No; they’re right here in this hotel.

HORACE.  I must get away!

[He says this huskily, almost in a whisper, as if to himself.  His face is tense with anxiety.]

VASILI [with a gesture of dismissal, though graciously].  Seek them.  I finish my cigarette.

PIKE.  Guess I better ask.

[HORACE is crossing, meaning to get away through the grove.]

PIKE [addressing him].  Hey, there!  Can you—­

[HORACE, proceeding, pays no attention.]

PIKE [lifting his voice].  Excuse me, son, ain’t you an American?

[More decidedly, to MARIANO.]

Waiter, tell that gentleman I’m speaking to him.

MARIANO [to HORACE].  M’sieu’, that gentleman speak with you.

HORACE [agitated and angry].  What gentleman?