PIM. Drinking himself to death I should have said. I gave him at the most another year to live. Yet to my amazement the first person I saw as I stepped on board the boat that brought me to England last week was this fellow. There was no mistaking him. I spoke to him, in fact; we recognised each other.
PIM. He was travelling steerage; we didn't meet again on board, and as it happened at Marseilles, this poor fellow--er--now what _was_ his name? A very unusual one. Began with a--a T, I think.
OLIVIA (with suppressed feeling). Yes, Mr. Pim, yes? (She puts out a hand to GEORGE.)
GEORGE (in an undertone). Nonsense, dear!
PIM (triumphantly). I've got it! Telworthy!
PIM (a little surprised at the success of his story). An unusual name, is it not? Not a name you could forget when once you had heard it.
OLIVIA (with feeling). No, it is not a name you could forget when once you had heard it.
GEORGE (hastily coming over to PIM). Quite so, Mr. Pim, a most remarkable name, a most odd story altogether. Well, well, here's your letter, and if you're sure you won't stay to lunch--
PIM. I'm afraid not, thank you. You see, I--
GEORGE. The Trevors, yes. I'll just see you on your way--(to OLIVIA) Er--my dear--
OLIVIA (holding out her hand, but not looking at him). Good-bye, Mr. Pim.
GEORGE (leading the way through the windows). This way, this way. Quicker for you.
(OLIVIA sits there and looks into the past. Now and then she shudders.)
GEORGE. Good God! Telworthy! Is it possible? (Before OLIVIA can answer, LADY MARDEN is announced. They pull themselves together and greet her.)
(Lunch is over and coffee has been served on the terrace. Conversation drags on, to the satisfaction of LADY MARDEN, but of nobody else. GEORGE and OLIVIA want to be alone; so do BRIAN and DINAH. At last BRIAN murmurs something about a cigarette-case; and, catching DINAH'S eye, comes into the house. He leans against the sofa and waits for DINAH.)
DINAH (loudly as she comes in). Have you found it?
DINAH (in her ordinary voice). That was just for _their_ benefit. I said I'd help you find it. It _is_ your cigarette-case we're looking for, isn't it?
DINAH. No, thank you, darling. Aunt Juli-ah still thinks it's unladylike. . . . Have you ever seen her beagling?