[_With a smile, remonstrating._] Mabel!
MABEL.
Oh, but I know them well, and I love them dearly. They cost two shillings at the Army and Navy Stores, but I can"t afford them myself.
JOHN.
I wish you"d explain why we"ve come, or Basil will think I"m responsible.
MABEL.
[_Lightly._] I"ve been trying to remember ever since we arrived. You say it, Hilda; you invented it.
HILDA.
[_With a laugh._] Mabel, I"ll never take you out again. They"re perfectly incorrigible, Mr. Kent.
BASIL.
[_To_ JOHN _and_ MABEL, _smiling_.] I don"t know why _you"ve_ come. Mrs.
Murry has promised to come and have tea with me for ages.
MABEL.
[_Pretending to feel injured._] Well, you needn"t turn me out the moment we arrive. Besides, I refuse to go till I"ve had a piece of that cake.
BASIL.
Well, here"s the tea! [MRS. GRIGGS _brings it in as he speaks_. _He turns to_ HILDA.] I wish you"d pour it out. I"m so clumsy.
HILDA.
[_Smiling at him affectionately._] I shall be delighted.
[_She proceeds to do so, and the conversation goes on while_ BASIL _hands_ MABEL _tea and cake_.
JOHN.
I told them it was improper for more than one woman at a time to call at a bachelor"s rooms, Basil.
BASIL.
If you"d warned me I"d have made the show a bit tidier.
MABEL.
Oh, that"s just what we didn"t want. We wanted to see the Celebrity at Home, without lime-light.
BASIL.
[_Ironically._] You"re too flattering.
MABEL.
By the way, how is the book?
_Basil._
Quite well, thanks.
MABEL.
I always forget to ask how it"s getting on.
BASIL.
On the contrary, you never let slip an opportunity of making kind inquiries.
MABEL.
_I_ don"t believe you"ve written a word of it.
HILDA.
Nonsense, Mabel. I"ve read it.
MABEL.
Oh, but you"re such a monster of discretion.... Now I want to see your medals, Mr. Kent.
BASIL.
[_Smiling._] What medals?
MABEL.
Don"t be coy! You know I mean the medals they gave you for going to the Cape.
BASIL.
[_Gets them from a drawer, and with a smile hands them to_ MABEL.] If you really care to see them, here they are.
MABEL.
[_Taking one._] What"s this?
BASIL.