THE SQUIRE. [Deeply-to himself] The whole thing's damn delicate.
[The door right is opened and a MAID appears. She is a determined-looking female. They face her in silence.]
THE RECTOR. Er—er——your master is not in?
THE MAID. No. 'E's gone up to London.
THE RECTOR. Er——Mr Challenger, I think?
THE MAID. Yes.
THE RECTOR. Yes! Er——quite so
THE MAID. [Eyeing them] D'you want—Mrs Challenger?
THE RECTOR. Ah! Not precisely——
THE SQUIRE. [To him in a low, determined voice] Go on.