MR. KNOWLE. Well, we won't be quite so subtle this time. Present Mr. Knowle's compliments, and say that I shall be very much honoured if he will drink a glass of whiskey with me before proceeding on his journey.
MR. KNOWLE. And then--bring in the whiskey.
ALICE. Yes, sir. (She goes out. In a little while she comes back followed by the stranger, who is dressed from head to foot in a long cloak.) Mr. Gervase Mallory.
MR. KNOWLE. How do you do, Mr. Mallory? I'm very glad to see you. (They shake hands.)
GERVASE. It's very kind of you. I really must apologise for bothering you like this. I'm afraid I'm being an awful nuisance.
MR. KNOWLE. Not at all. Are you going far?
GERVASE. Collingham. I live at Little Malling, about twenty miles away. Do you know it?
MR. KNOWLE. Yes. I've been through it. I didn't know it was as far away as that.
GERVASE (with a laugh). Well, perhaps only by the way I came. The fact is I've lost myself rather.
MR. KNOWLE. I'm afraid you have. Collingham. You oughtn't to have come within five miles of us.
MR. KNOWLE. Well, all the more reason for having a drink now that you _are_ here.
MR. KNOWLE. Ah, here we are. (ALICE puts down the whiskey.) You've told Peters?
ALICE. Yes, sir. He's looking after it now.
MR. KNOWLE. That's right, (ALICE goes out.) You'll have some whiskey, won't you?
MR. KNOWLE. And do take your coat off, won't you, and make yourself comfortable?
GERVASE. Er--thanks. I don't think---- (He smiles to himself and keeps his cloak on.)
MR. KNOWLE (busy with the drinks). Say when.
MR. KNOWLE (giving himself one). I'm so glad you came, because I have a horror of drinking alone. Even when my wife gives me cough-mixture, I insist on somebody else in the house having cough-mixture too. A glass of cough-mixture with an old friend just before going to bed---- (He looks up) But do take your coat off, won't you, and sit down and be comfortable?
GERVASE. Er--thanks very much, but I don't think---- (With a shrug and a smile) Oh, well! (He puts down his glass and begins to take it off. He is in fancy dress--the wonderful young Prince in blue and gold of MELISANDE'S dream.)
(MR. KNOWLE turns round to him again just as he has put his cloak down. He looks at GERVASE in amazement.)