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?
MELISANDE. Jane, Mother's tea. (JANE takes it.)
GERVASE (coming forward). Oh, I beg your pardon. Let me----
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. 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?")
MELISANDE (indicating a seat next to her). Come and sit here, Bobby.
BOBBY (who was making for JANE). Oh--er--righto. (He sits down.)
MR. KNOWLE (to GERVASE). And how did the dance go last night?
JANE. Oh, were you at a dance? How lovely!
MR. KNOWLE. And a fancy dress dance, too, Sandy. _You_ ought to have been there.
MRS. KNOWLE. My daughter is devoted to dancing, Mr. Mallory. Dances so beautifully, they all say.
MR. KNOWLE. And did they all fall in love with you? You ought to have seen him, Sandy.
GERVASE. Well, I'm afraid I never got there.
MR. KNOWLE. Dear, dear. . . . Peters is in love just now. . . . I hope he didn't give you cider in mistake for petrol.
