DEVENISH (_sitting on settee, feeling his fingers_). Fairly well, thanks.
TREMAYNE (_sitting above him and banging him on the back_). That"s right.
DEVENISH (_still nursing his hand_). You are a very lucky fellow, Robinson.
TREMAYNE. In what way?
DEVENISH. People you meet must be so very reluctant to say good-bye to you. Have you ever tried strangling lions or anything like that?
TREMAYNE (_with a laugh_). Well, as a matter of fact, I have.
DEVENISH. I suppose you won all right?
TREMAYNE. In the end, with the help of my beater.
DEVENISH. Personally I should have backed you alone against any two ordinary lions.
TREMAYNE. One was quite enough. As it was, he gave me something to remember him by. (_Putting up his left sleeve, he displays a deep scar_.)
DEVENISH (_looking at it casually_). By Jove, that"s a nasty one!
(_He suddenly catches sight of the mole and stares at it fascinated, then stares up at_ TREMAYNE.) Good heavens!
TREMAYNE. What"s the matter?
DEVENISH (_clasping his head_). Wait. (_Rising and moving up to L. of_ TREMAYNE.) Let me think. (_After a pause_.) Have you ever met a man called Baxter?
TREMAYNE. No.
DEVENISH. Would you like to?
TREMAYNE (_grimly_). Very much indeed.
DEVENISH. He"s the man I told you about who"s interested in Robinsons.
He"ll be delighted to meet you. (_With a nervous laugh_.) Funny thing, he"s rather an authority on lions. You must show him that scar of yours; it will intrigue him immensely. (_Earnestly_.) _Don"t_ shake hands with him too heartily just at first; it might put him off the whole thing.
TREMAYNE. This Mr. Baxter seems to be a curious man.
DEVENISH (_absently_). Yes, he is rather odd. (_Looking at his watch_.) I wonder if I----(_To_ TREMAYNE.) I suppose you won"t be-- (_He stops suddenly. A slight tapping noise comes from the room where they keep umbrellas_.)
TREMAYNE. What"s that!
(_The tapping noise is repeated, a little more loudly this time.
DEVENISH moves to end of table_.)
DEVENISH. Come in.
(_The door opens and_ BAXTER _comes in nervously, holding his bowler hat in his hand. He moves towards the swing doors_.)
BAXTER (_apologetically_). Oh, I just--(TREMAYNE _stands up_) --I just--(_He goes back again_.)
DEVENISH (_springing across the room_). Baxter!
(_The door opens nervously again and BAXTER"S head appears round it_.)
Come in, Baxter, old man; you"re just the very person I wanted.
(BAXTER _comes in carefully_. DEVENISH _closes the door_.)
Good man. (_To_ TREMAYNE, _taking_ BAXTER _down_ R., _and placing his arm round his shoulders_.) This is Mr. Baxter that I was telling you about.
(BAXTER _removes_ DEVENISH"S _arm from his shoulders_.)
TREMAYNE (_moving up to_ BAXTER _and much relieved at the appearance of his rival_). Oh, is this Mr. Baxter? (_Holding out his hand with great friendliness_.) How are you, Mr. Baxter?
DEVENISH (_warningly_). Steady!
(TREMAYNE _shakes_ BAXTER _quite gently by the hand_.)
Baxter, this is Mr. Robinson. (_Casually_.) R-o-b-i-n-s-o-n. (_He looks sideways at_ BAXTER _to see how he takes it_. BAXTER _is noticeably impressed_.)
BAXTER. Really? I am very glad to meet you, sir.
TREMAYNE. Very good of you to say so.
DEVENISH (_to_ BAXTER, _taking his arm_. BAXTER _is annoyed and gets free_). Robinson is a great big-game hunter.
BAXTER (_moving down to_ TREMAYNE). Indeed? I have never done anything in that way myself, but I"m sure it must be an absorbing pursuit.
TREMAYNE. Oh, well, it"s something to do.
DEVENISH (_to_ BAXTER). You must get him to tell you about a wrestle he had with a lion once. Extraordinary story! (_Looking at his watch suddenly_.) Jove! I must be off. See you again, Baxter. (_He bangs_ BAXTER _on the shoulder and moves down to_ TREMAYNE.) Good-bye, Robinson. No, don"t shake hands. I"m in a hurry. (_He looks at his watch again and goes out hurriedly by the door on the_ R.)
(TREMAYNE _sits on settee_ R. _and_ BAXTER _on chair_ R.
_of_ C. _table. He puts his hat on the table_.)
TREMAYNE. Unusual man, your friend Devenish. I suppose it comes of being a poet.
BAXTER. I have no great liking for Mr. Devenish--
TREMAYNE. Oh, he"s all right.
BAXTER. But I am sure that if he is impressed by anything outside himself or his own works, it must be something rather remarkable. Pray tell me of your adventure with the lion.
TREMAYNE (_laughing_). Really, you mustn"t think that I go about telling everybody my adventures. It just happened to come up. I"m afraid I shook his hand rather more warmly than I meant, and he asked me if I"d ever tried strangling lions. That was all.
BAXTER. And had you?
TREMAYNE. Well, it just happened that I had.