Ebag. He has most kindly
consented to be called Mr. X for the moment. This is Mrs. X, Mr. Texel.
(They bow--CYRUS shakes hands with TEXEL.)
EBAG. (To CYRUS.) How d'you do?
CYRUS. How d'you do?
CARVE. How d'you do?
ALCAR. (Observing that these three are already acquainted.) Good!
Excellent! Now, Mrs.--er--X, will you have this chair near the fire?
(Fixes chair for her.)
TEXEL. (Indicating JANET, aside to EBAG.) Good looking?
EBAG. (Aside to TEXEL.) Very agreeable little thing!
TEXEL. Excellent! Excellent!
ALCAR. (Interrupting a gesture from CARVE.) You have all done me a
signal favour by coming here. In thanking you, I wonder if I may ask
another favour. May I?
TEXEL. Certainly. Among kindred spirits.
EBAG. Assuredly, my lord.
ALCAR. I would merely request you to control so far as possible any
expression of your astonishment at meeting one another here. That is to
say, any violent expression.
CARVE. (Gaily and carelessly.) Oh, very well! Very well!
(LORD LEONARD ALCAR waves the rest of the company into chairs,
tactfully separating CYRUS and CARVE as much as possible.
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