SARAH ANN.
Yessir.
ROSALINE.
And look slippy. Go on, I"m parched. Mind, the _best_ champagne. (_To_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Got a light?
(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.)
HENRICH SCHERCL.
What is your name, my dear? (_Gives her light_).
ROSALINE.
Rosaline--you may call me "Rosie" if you like.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
May I--why? (_Chuckles_).
ROSALINE.
Well, I was struck by your demeanour, and to tell your Royal Highness the truth I have never done business with such a nice gentleman as you before.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
Ha, ha, ha! You are a sharp girl too! You are too good to go to India to be a slave. You could do better in London.
ROSALINE.
(_Coquettishly_). Think so?
HENRICH SCHERCL.
You shall have a slave of your own--a slave who would love you.
ROSALINE.
It sounds very well. In the meantime what about the tenner?
HENRICH SCHERCL.
(_Taking out his notebook_). You shall have it. There! Will you give me a kiss for that, my Rosie, with your rosy-posy lips?
(_Enter_ SARAH ANN _L. with champagne and gla.s.ses_).
ROSALINE.
Not before the child! Put it down, my girl, that"ll do--Come on, Heinrich of the Golden Square, come and pour out the fluid.
(_Exit_ SARAH ANN _L_.)
HENRICH SCHERCL.
(_Lifting his gla.s.s_). Gezunteit!
ROSALINE.
Very likely. (_Aside_.) This is the best day"s sitting I"ve ever done.
(_Aloud_.) Now this is what I call comfortable: a bottle of the boy, a cigarette, and a cosy chat. I am very glad to have met you.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
(_Putting his arm round her waist_). Really--is that so?
ROSALINE.
That is really so. But mind you, an hour ago, I should not have let you do this.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
I am so blessed we did not meet an hour ago.
ROSALINE.
It is true. An hour ago I was in love, but I have been treated very badly. Just now my heart is at the rebound.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
Leedle heart--let me gatch it!
ROSALINE.
Now you are making fun of me. I am not so simple as you think. Why, we have only just met.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
But we can meet again. Besides, I am not going yet--I will stop and talk to you. You shall tell me all about your love-trouble, and I will gonsole you. Hark, what is that?
ROSALINE.
Somebody is coming upstairs.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
Then I will step into the next room. It would not look vell that I should be found trinking jampagne mid a pretty girl like you. When they are gone I will come back.