The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Arnold. About 1750, I should say. Good design, isn’t it? It hasn’t been restored or anything.

C.-C. Very pretty.

Arnold. I think it was a good buy, don’t you?

C.-C. Oh, my dear boy! you know I’m entirely ignorant about these things.

Arnold. It’s exactly my period . . . I shall see you at luncheon, then.

[He follows Anna through the window.

C.-C. Who is that young man?

Elizabeth. Mr. Luton. He’s only just been demobilised. He’s the manager of a rubber estate in the F.M.S.

C.-C. And what are the F.M.S. when they’re at home?

Elizabeth. The Federated Malay States. He joined up at the beginning of the war. He’s just going back there.