YOUNG MASTER. No, no. I’m hot enough already, as it is. I don’t really want any brandy. Tell you what, though, Marie: bring me a glass of water, will you? And, um, Marie, let the tap run so it’s nice and cool, eh?

She leaves. He watches her go. At the door she turns round and looks at him. He stares into space. She turns on the tap and lets it run. She goes to her little room, washes her hands and arranges her hair in the mirror. She fetches the water and goes over to the divan. He gets halfway up. She puts the glass in his hand and their fingers touch.

Oh, thank you . . . Well, what is it? . . . Careful: put it back on the tray.

He stretches on the divan.

What’s the time, by the way?

MAID. Five o’clock, sir.

YOUNG MASTER. Five? Right . . .

She leaves. But at the door she turns. He has been watching. She notices and smiles. He lies still for a moment, and then suddenly gets up. He walks over to the door, goes back and lies down again. He tries to read. After a moment or two he rings. She enters with a smile which she doesn’t try to hide.

Now, Marie, I know what I wanted to ask you: didn’t Dr Schüller drop by this morning?

MAID. No. No one all morning.

YOUNG MASTER. That’s odd. So Dr Schüller didn’t call? You do know who I mean?

MAID. Of course. The tall gentleman. With the black beard.

YOUNG MASTER. That’s him. Did he call, then?

MAID. No. There’s been no one, sir.

YOUNG MASTER (suddenly). Marie, come over here.

MAID (coming a bit closer). Yes, sir?

YOUNG MASTER. Closer. That’s right. I was, um, just thinking . . .

MAID. Yes, sir?

YOUNG MASTER. I was just thinking . . . I was just wondering . . . your blouse . . . What kind of, erm . . . ? Why don’t you come a bit closer, I won’t bite.

MAID (coming closer). What’s wrong with it, sir? Don’t you like it?

YOUNG MASTER (stretches out to feel the blouse, pulling her down close to him). Is that blue . . . ? What a lovely shade of blue.

Simply.

I like the way you’re dressed, Marie.

MAID. Oh, sir.

YOUNG MASTER. What? . . .

He has unbuttoned her blouse. Matter-of-fact.

You’ve got beautiful skin, Marie. So pale.

MAID. Oh, sir, you’ll make me blush.

YOUNG MASTER (kissing her breasts). There. That didn’t hurt, did it?

MAID. No, sir.

Sighs.

YOUNG MASTER. Listen to you! What’s the matter?

MAID. Oh, Master Alfred.

YOUNG MASTER. And those sweet little shoes you’ve got on . . .

MAID. But, sir . . . someone might ring . . .

YOUNG MASTER. Who’s going to ring now?

MAID. But, sir . . . it’s broad daylight.