CAMERON. Iss it the wish of Mr. Blake that I open the basket?
SIMON. We shall tumble out the luncheon if you bring a trout or two. I want you to show my wife, Cameron, how one cooks fish by the water’s edge.
CAMERON. I will do it with pleasure. (He pauses.) There iss one little matter; it iss of small importance. You may haf noticed that I always address you as Mr. Blake. I notice that you always address me as Cameron; I take no offence.
MARY ROSE. Oh dear, I am sure I always address you as Mr. Cameron.
CAMERON. That iss so, ma’am. You may haf noticed that I always address you as ‘ma’am.’ It iss my way of indicating that I consider you a ferry genteel young matron, and of all such I am the humble servant. (He pauses.) In saying I am your humble servant I do not imply that I am not as good as you are. With this brief explanation, ma’am, I will now fetch the trouts.
SIMON (taking advantage of his departure). That is one in the eye for me. But I’m hanged if I mister him.
MARY ROSE. Simon, do be careful. If you want to say anything to me that is dangerous, say it in French.
(CAMERON returns with two small sea-trout.)
CAMERON. The trouts, ma’am, having been cleaned in a thorough and yet easy manner by pulling them up and down in the water, the next procedure iss as follows.
(He wraps up the trout in a piece of newspaper and soaks them in the water.)