The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

[Looking round.] I beg pardon, ma’am; a lady and two gentlemen would like to see Mr. Allingham, if it’s not disturbing him.

[She goes to the table and examines the cards.

Olive.

[In a hard voice.] Are these people friends of Mr. Allingham’s? Have they ever called on him before?

Quaife.

No, ma’am. [Hesitatingly.] I fancy the eldest of the two gentlemen came once, if not twice, to Pont Street in—in—in your time, ma’am.

Olive.

I’ll give those to Mr. Allingham. [He lays the cards out on the table.] You’ll be rung for. [He goes towards the door.] You haven’t mentioned that I am here?

Quaife.

Oh, no, ma’am. I simply said Mr. Allingham was engaged for the moment.