Rupert. Oh, I don’t know. Like all these, you know. . . .
Leila. What was she in, anyway?
Rupert. I can’t quite recall. The Something Something, I think. Or something like that. (Pause) Something very like it, anyway.
Leila. I don’t believe you ever went.
Brandon. I never knew you were a fan like this Leila. I simply abhor the things myself.
Leila. What—on moral grounds?
Brandon. Oh, no. They simply make me go to sleep. And all those places are so infernally stuffy. Tell me, what do you think about films, Mrs. Debenham?
[Pause.
Mrs. Debenham (waking up and smirking). No—I don’t. . . .
[Silence. Everybody looking at each other and inclined to giggle.
Leila. Well, if you’d seen———
Rupert (cutting in). Pardon me. I cannot quite ascertain Mrs. Debenham’s opinion. She says she doesn’t. Does she mean that she does not think about films, or merely that she does not think at all?
[Pause.
Mrs. Debenham. Oh yes. Decidedly.
Rupert. Ah. I see.
Brandon (rising and placing his plate upon chest with an air of finality). Well, anyway, who says Books?
Sir Johnstone. Aye. (Rising.)
Leila, Yes, that’s a very good idea.
Brandon (looking at Leila). I have a gramophone for the very young, if they care to make use of it.
Leila. But I thought you said the room was all covered with books.
Brandon. Oh no—there’s room to dance.
Raglan (looking at wireless cabinet). Hullo, you’ve got a wireless.
[ 36 ]
