Rupert. Then is it Mr. Granillo who frequents the Coliseum?
Sabot. Mr. Granillo, sair?
Rupert. Or is it Mr. Brandon who frequents the place?
Sabot. Mr. Brandon, sair?
[On this the door opens and Brandon walks in. He is quite bright and cheerful, and goes straight over to sideboard, plainly to fetch drinks. As he goes over he speaks rallyingly.
Brandon. Hullo! Hullo! “Mr. Brandon”? What’s all this about Mr. Brandon?
Rupert (quickly). I was asking the good Sabot, Brandon, whether Mr. Brandon would still travel to Oxford in all this rain. Wasn’t I, Sabot?
Sabot (looking up quickly from one to another, in a puzzled way). Er. Yes, sair. Yes, sair.
Brandon (bending down to fish in cupboard in sideboard for bottles). Well—I hope he told you that we are. What’s a little rain, anyway? (Has produced whisky bottle and is looking at it. Walks across room to door.) Besides, we’ve got nobody to look after us here. One moment, I’ll be back in a minute. (Suddenly turns down stage to look over Rupert’s shoulder to see what he is reading.) What’s he reading? “The Rover.” I’ll be back in a minute. Why don’t you come in? (Turning to Sabot.) That’s all right, Sabot. You can go straight away now—now that’s cleared.
Sabot. Thank you, sair.
Brandon (to Rupert). Back in a minute.
[He goes out. There is another pause as Sabot puts the final touch to his clearing.
Rupert. That, Sabot, was what we call a White One.
[ 42 ]
