Juggins comes in with the tea-tray. All rise. He takes the tray to Mrs. Gilbey.
GILBEY. I didnt mean to ask you to do this, Mr Juggins. I wasnt thinking when I rang.
MRS GILBEY. [trying to take the tray from him] Let me, Juggins.
JUGGINS. Please sit down, madam. Allow me to discharge my duties just as usual, sir. I assure you that is the correct thing. [They sit down, ill at ease, whilst he places the tray on the table. He then goes out for the curate].
KNOX. [lowering his voice] Is this all right, Gilbey? Anybody may be the son of a duke, you know. Is he legitimate?
GILBEY. Good lord! I never thought of that.
Juggins returns with the cakes. They regard him with suspicion.
GILBEY. [whispering to Knox] You ask him.
KNOX. [to Juggins] Just a word with you, my man. Was your mother married to your father?
JUGGINS. I believe so, sir. I cant say from personal knowledge. It was before my time.