to stay’n see us off? That’s what I want to know. Why does he want to stay’n see us off?
Brandon. My dear Granno. Rupert has no earthly reason in wanting to stay and see us off, and I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s no doing anything with you. I’m getting sick of this. Come along, Rupert, finish that up and leave him with me.
Rupert (pause in which he looks at him). Oh. I’ve got to go, then?
[There is a long pause in which they both look at him.
Brandon (very quietly and securely). What do you mean, Rupert? You’ve “got to go”?
Rupert. Oh. Nothing. I thought for a moment that perhaps you wanted me to go as well.
Brandon. Nothing of the sort. I was getting fed up with all this silly chatter, and wanted to be alone with Granno, that’s all. I don’t want you to go.
Rupert. You don’t?
Brandon. No.
Rupert. All right, then. I’ll stay. Can I have another drink? (Holds out glass.)
Granillo. I said so! I said so. . . .
Brandon (putting on a grin). You’re in a queer mood to-night, Rupert, too. (Takes glass to sideboard.)
Rupert. No—not a queer mood. An inspired mood, rather, One has inspirations, you know. Extraordinary inspirations. And I have one to-night.
Brandon. Oh—what’s that?
Rupert. Ah—I’ll tell you that, perhaps.
[Granillo rises and goes towards window. Rupert stops him on the way.
You haven’t such a thing as a pin, Granillo, have you?
Granillo. A what?
Rupert. A pin.
Granillo (feeling in his lapel). Yes. (Gives it him.)
[ 75 ]
