"That was a libel, of course," said Mr. Welwyn soothingly.
"In a manner of speakin'," replied Mr. Stillbottle guardedly--"yes." He took up Mr. Welwyn's sheet of note-paper again.
"What is all this?" he enquired rather querulously. "Stage directions, or cues, or what?"
"Everything," said Mr. Welwyn. "Your lines and business, in fact."
Mr. Stillbottle nodded comprehendingly, and proceeded to read aloud:--
"When front-door bell rings, answer door and show party up, asking their names and announcing them distinctly."
"You can do that?"
"I'll 'ave a dash for it, anyway. Then: Bring in tea and put it on tea-table."
Mr. Stillbottle's unsteady gaze wandered round the apartment until it encountered the table.
"Tea-table, left centre," he remarked to himself. "Then, at irregular intervals, come in and make the following remarks to me:--that's you, I suppose?"