RIDGEON. Oh! [taking up the Secretary’s list] I have marked five pictures as sold to me.
JENNIFER. They will not be sold to you. Louis’ creditors insisted on selling them; but this is my birthday; and they were all bought in for me this morning by my husband.
RIDGEON. By whom?!!!
JENNIFER. By my husband.
RIDGEON [gabbling and stuttering] What husband? Whose husband? Which husband? Whom? how? what? Do you mean to say that you have married again?
JENNIFER. Do you forget that Louis disliked widows, and that people who have married happily once always marry again?
The Secretary returns with a pile of catalogues.
THE SECRETARY. Just got the first batch of catalogues in time. The doors are open.
JENNIFER [to Ridgeon, politely] So glad you like the pictures, Sir Colenso. Good morning.
RIDGEON. Good morning. [He goes towards the door; hesitates; turns to say something more; gives it up as a bad job; and goes].