LOUIS [surprised] Was that yours?
WALPOLE. Yes.
LOUIS. I’m awfully sorry, old chap. I wondered whose it was. I’m sorry to say this is all thats left of it. [He hitches up his smock; produces a card from his waistcoat pocket; and hands it to Walpole].
WALPOLE. A pawn ticket!
LOUIS [reassuringly] It’s quite safe: he cant sell it for a year, you know. I say, my dear Walpole, I am sorry. [He places his hand ingenuously on Walpole’s shoulder and looks frankly at him].
WALPOLE [sinking on the stool with a gasp] Dont mention it. It adds to your fascination.
RIDGEON [who has been standing near the easel] Before we go any further, you have a debt to pay, Mr Dubedat.
LOUIS. I have a precious lot of debts to pay, Ridgeon. I’ll fetch you a chair. [He makes for the inner door].
RIDGEON [stopping him] You shall not leave the room until you pay it. It’s a small one; and pay it you must and shall. I dont so much mind your borrowing 10 pounds from one of my guests and 20 pounds from the other—
WALPOLE. I walked into it, you know. I offered it.