SARAH ANN.

Yessir.

ROSALINE.

And look slippy.  Go on, I’m parched.  Mind, the best champagne. (To
HENRICH SCHERCL.) Got a light?

(Exit SARAH ANN L.)

HENRICH SCHERCL.

What is your name, my dear? (Gives her light).

ROSALINE.

Rosaline—­you may call me “Rosie” if you like.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

May I—­why? (Chuckles).

ROSALINE.

Well, I was struck by your demeanour, and to tell your Royal Highness the truth I have never done business with such a nice gentleman as you before.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Ha, ha, ha!  You are a sharp girl too!  You are too good to go to India to be a slave.  You could do better in London.

ROSALINE.

(Coquettishly).  Think so?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

You shall have a slave of your own—­a slave who would love you.

ROSALINE.

It sounds very well.  In the meantime what about the tenner?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

(Taking out his notebook).  You shall have it.  There!  Will you give me a kiss for that, my Rosie, with your rosy-posy lips?

(Enter SARAH ANN L. with champagne and glasses).

ROSALINE.

Not before the child!  Put it down, my girl, that’ll do—­Come on,
Heinrich of the Golden Square, come and pour out the fluid.

(Exit SARAH ANN L.)

HENRICH SCHERCL.

(Lifting his glass).  Gezunteit!

ROSALINE.

Very likely. (Aside.) This is the best day’s sitting I’ve ever done. (Aloud.) Now this is what I call comfortable:  a bottle of the boy, a cigarette, and a cosy chat.  I am very glad to have met you.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

(Putting his arm round her waist).  Really—­is that so?

ROSALINE.

That is really so.  But mind you, an hour ago, I should not have let you do this.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I am so blessed we did not meet an hour ago.

ROSALINE.

It is true.  An hour ago I was in love, but I have been treated very badly.  Just now my heart is at the rebound.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Leedle heart—­let me gatch it!

ROSALINE.

Now you are making fun of me.  I am not so simple as you think.  Why, we have only just met.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

But we can meet again.  Besides, I am not going yet—­I will stop and talk to you.  You shall tell me all about your love-trouble, and I will gonsole you.  Hark, what is that?

ROSALINE.

Somebody is coming upstairs.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Then I will step into the next room.  It would not look vell that I should be found trinking jampagne mid a pretty girl like you.  When they are gone I will come back.