FLORA Oh! … It is my fault! Yesterday I was writing a poem, and today I have been writing a letter to my sister. That’s what it is.

DAS A letter?

FLORA I am not the same sitter. How thoughtless of me.

DAS Yes. Yes.

FLORA Are you angry?

DAS I don’t know. Can we stop now? I would like a cigarette. Would you care for a cigarette? They are Gold Flake.

FLORA No. But I’d like you to smoke.

DAS Thank you. (He lights a cigarette.) You were writing to your sister? She is in England, of course.

FLORA Yes, in London. Her name is Eleanor. She is much younger than me.

DAS And also beautiful like you?

FLORA Routine gallantry is disappointing from you.

DAS (Surprised) Oh, it was not.

FLORA Then, thank you.

DAS Where does your sister live?

FLORA That’s almost the first thing you asked me. Would it mean anything to you?

Das is loosening up again, regaining his normal good nature.

DAS Oh, I have the whole of London spread out in my imagination. Challenge me, you will see!

FLORA All right, she lives in Holborn.

DAS (Pause) Oh. Which part of London is that?

FLORA Well, it’s—oh dear—between the Gray’s Inn Road and—

DAS Holl-born!

FLORA Yes. Holborn.

DAS But of course I know Holl-born! Charles Dickens lived in Doughty Street.

FLORA Yes, Eleanor lives in Doughty Street.

DAS But, Miss Crewe, Oliver Twist was written in that very street!

FLORA Well, that’s where Eleanor lives, over her work. She is the assistant to the editor of a weekly, The Flag.

DAS The Flag!?

FLORA You surely have never read that too?

DAS No, but I have met the editor of The Flag—

FLORA (Realizing) Yes—of course you have! That is how I came to be here. Mr Chamberlain gave me letters of introduction.

DAS His lecture in Jummapur caused the Theosophical Society to be suspended for one year.

FLORA I’m sorry. But it’s not for me to apologize for the Raj.

DAS Oh, it was not the Raj but the Rajah! His Highness is not a socialist! Do you agree with Mr Chamberlain’s theory of Empire? I was not persuaded. Of course I am not an economist.

FLORA That has never deterred Mr Chamberlain.

DAS It is not my opinion that England’s imperial adventure is simply to buy time against revolution at home.

FLORA Political opinions are often, and perhaps entirely, a function of temperament, Mr Das. Eleanor and Mr Chamberlain are well suited.

DAS Your sister shares Mr Chamberlain’s opinions?

FLORA Naturally.

DAS Being his assistant, you mean.

FLORA His mistress.

DAS Oh.

FLORA You should have been a barrister, Mr Das.

DAS I am justly rebuked!

FLORA It was not a rebuke. An unintended slight, perhaps.

DAS I am very sorry about your sister. It must be a great sadness for you.

FLORA I am very happy for her.

DAS But she will never be married now! Unless Mr Chamberlain marries her.