Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Oh, well, if you like you can ’ave it. You were there when it all started. I suppose I got out the wrong side of bed that morning, and when Mrs. Thing-a-magig, the Vicar’s wife, come up to me at the Grand Babylon Hotel, I snubbed her. I’ve been very sorry for it since, and I’ve been punished for it. They knew I was an old snob—like you, Florrie—they thought they’d pay me out. They got one of the waiters from the ’otel to dress up like a gentleman, and they introduced him as the Archduke Sebastian.
Mrs. Withers.
[Pointing to Jack Straw.] That?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Yes, that! He’s a waiter, that’s what he is. And for the last week I’ve been making a perfect fool of myself over ’im.
Von Bremer.
[Much mystified.] But—I don’t understand. I’ve known the Archduke Sebastian since he was born.
Holland.
You’re mistaken. This person and I were in America together. I lived with him for two years. I don’t know his real name, but he passes under that of Jack Straw.