Pendleton [from without]. I'll be there in a moment.
[Margaret glances through paper; Pendleton enters, door right. He is tall and thin, and of æsthetic appearance. His long blond hair is brushed loosely over his forehead and he is dressed in a helitrope-colored dressing gown. He lights a cigarette.]
Margaret. I thought you were going to stop smoking before breakfast.
Pendleton. My dear, I can't possibly stand the taste of tooth paste in my mouth all day.
[Pendleton sits at table. Enters Mrs. Abbey with tray. Pendleton helps himself, then drops his knife and fork with a clang. Mrs. Abbey and Margaret are startled.]
Mrs. Abbey. Anything the matter, sir?
Pendleton. Dear, dear! My breakfast is quite spoiled again.
Mrs. Abbey [concerned]. Spoiled, sir?
Pendleton [pointing to red flowers on breakfast table]. Look at those flowers, Mrs. Abbey. Not only are they quite out of harmony with the color scheme in this room, but they're positively red, and you know I have a perfect horror of red.
Mrs. Abbey. But you like them that color sometimes, sir. What am I to do when you're so temperamental about 'em.