James. Oh, well, of course, if you take it in that way—[He proceeds to a chair behind screen, which does not, however, hide him from the audience.]
Rosamund [smiles his reward]. I'll explain it all right. [Loudly.] Come in! [Enter Gerald O'Mara.]
Gerald. So you are in! [Hastens across room to shake hands.]
Rosamund. Oh, yes, I am in. Gerald, how are you? I must say you look tolerably well. [They sit down.]
Gerald. Oh, I'm pretty fit, thanks. Had the most amazing time in spite of the climate. And you? Rosie, you haven't changed a little bit. How's the cookery trade getting along? Are you still showing people how to concoct French dinners out of old bones and a sardine tin?
Rosamund. Certainly. Only I can do it without the bones now. You see, the science has progressed while you've been stagnating in Cyprus.
Gerald. Stagnating is the word. You wouldn't believe that climate!
Rosamund. What! Not had nice weather? What a shame! I thought it was tremendously sunshiny in Cyprus.
Gerald. Yes, that's just what it is, 97° in the shade when it doesn't happen to be pouring with malarial rain. We started a little golf club at Nicosia, and laid out a nine-hole course. But the balls used to melt. So we had to alter the rules, keep the balls in an ice-box, and take a fresh one at every hole. Think of that!
Rosamund. My poor boy! But I suppose there were compensations? You referred to "an amazing time."