Sir Patrick.  We’re all going to speak to you in confidence, young man.

Walpole [hanging his hat on the only peg left vacant on the hat-stand] We shall make ourselves at home for half an hour, Dubedat.  Dont be alarmed:  youre a most fascinating chap; and we love you.

Louis.  Oh, all right, all right.  Sit down—­anywhere you can.  Take this chair, Sir Patrick [indicating the one on the throne].  Up-z-z-z! [helping him up:  Sir Patrick grunts and enthrones himself].  Here you are, B. B. [Sir Ralph glares at the familiarity; but Louis, quite undisturbed, puts a big book and a sofa cushion on the dais, on Sir Patrick’s right; and B. B. sits down, under protest].  Let me take your hat. [He takes B. B.’s hat unceremoniously, and substitutes it for the cardinal’s hat on the head of the lay figure, thereby ingeniously destroying the dignity of the conclave.  He then draws the piano stool from the wall and offers it to Walpole].  You dont mind this, Walpole, do you? [Walpole accepts the stool, and puts his hand into his pocket for his cigaret case.  Missing it, he is reminded of his loss].

Walpole.  By the way, I’ll trouble you for my cigaret case, if you dont mind?

Louis.  What cigaret case?

Walpole.  The gold one I lent you at the Star and Garter.

Louis [surprised] Was that yours?

Walpole.  Yes.

Louis.  I’m awfully sorry, old chap.  I wondered whose it was.  I’m sorry to say this is all thats left of it. [He hitches up his smock; produces a card from his waistcoat pocket; and hands it to Walpole].

Walpole.  A pawn ticket!

Louis [reassuringly] It’s quite safe:  he cant sell it for a year, you know.  I say, my dear Walpole, I am sorry. [He places his hand ingenuously on Walpole’s shoulder and looks frankly at him].

Walpole [sinking on the stool with a gasp] Dont mention it.  It adds to your fascination.

Ridgeon [who has been standing near the easel] Before we go any further, you have a debt to pay, Mr Dubedat.

Louis.  I have a precious lot of debts to pay, Ridgeon.  I’ll fetch you a chair. [He makes for the inner door].

Ridgeon [stopping him] You shall not leave the room until you pay it.  It’s a small one; and pay it you must and shall.  I dont so much mind your borrowing 10 pounds from one of my guests and 20 pounds from the other—­

Walpole.  I walked into it, you know.  I offered it.

Ridgeon. —­they could afford it.  But to clean poor Blenkinsop out of his last half-crown was damnable.  I intend to give him that half-crown and to be in a position to pledge him my word that you paid it.  I’ll have that out of you, at all events.

B. B. Quite right, Ridgeon.  Quite right.  Come, young man! down with the dust.  Pay up.

Louis.  Oh, you neednt make such a fuss about it.  Of course I’ll pay it.  I had no idea the poor fellow was hard up.  I’m as shocked as any of you about it. [Putting his hand into his pocket] Here you are. [Finding his pocket empty] Oh, I say, I havnt any money on me just at present.  Walpole:  would you mind lending me half-a-crown just to settle this.