(_The Servant returns, bearing a folded note upon her tray_)
SERVANT. If you please, sir, I was to give you this.
PARNELL (_having read the note_). Is the man still there?
SERVANT. Yes, sir.
(_There is a pause_.)
PARNELL. Show him in.
(_As the Servant goes he hands the note to Katharine, and watches while
she reads it_.)
So--you remember him?
KATHARINE. Only the name.... I may have seen him, now and then.
(_And then enters a smooth-shaven man, sprucely dressed, with the
irreproachable manners of a well-trained servant. First, with a murmured
apology, he bows to the lady; then, having respectfully waited till the
silence becomes marked, says_:)
MAN. Good evening, sir.
PARNELL (_glancing again at the note_). You are a valet?
MAN. Yes, sir.
PARNELL. Are you wanting a place?
MAN. No, sir. I have a place.
PARNELL. Well?
MAN. That gentleman, sir--my last employer, dismissed me without a
character.
(_His reference is to the note which Parnell still holds open in his
hand_.)
PARNELL. Well?
MAN. That's all, sir.
PARNELL. Then what have you come here for?
MAN. To give you this, sir.
(_He draws out and presents a letter, rather soiled by keeping, which
has already been opened. There is a pause, while Parnell looks first at
the address, then runs his eye over the contents_)
PARNELL. May I show it to--this lady?
MAN. Oh, yes, sir.
PARNELL. Whom, I take it, you recognise?
MAN.
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