LOUIS [coolly] Indeed? Have you seen Jennifer’s?
RIDGEON [rising in irrepressible rage] Do you dare insinuate that Mrs Dubedat is living with you without being married to you?
LOUIS. Why not?
B. B. { [echoing him in } Why not!
SIR PATRICK { various tones of } Why not!
RIDGEON { scandalized } Why not!
WALPOLE { amazement] } Why not!
LOUIS. Yes, why not? Lots of people do it: just as good people as you. Why dont you learn to think, instead of bleating and bashing like a lot of sheep when you come up against anything youre not accustomed to? [Contemplating their amazed faces with a chuckle] I say: I should like to draw the lot of you now: you do look jolly foolish. Especially you, Ridgeon. I had you that time, you know.
RIDGEON. How, pray?
LOUIS. Well, you set up to appreciate Jennifer, you know. And you despise me, dont you?