You will, when you
hear where he comes from!

MANSON. I _am_--interested.

MARY. Then guess who he is!

MANSON. Guess--when I know already?

MARY. Oh, Uncle Joshua isn't his only name--don't you think that!
He's a very important person, I can tell you! His name's on
everybody's lips!

MANSON [dryly]. Really!

MARY. Can't you guess? . . . Think of the very biggest person you
ever heard of in this world!

MANSON. In _this_ world: that sounds rather like . . . Does he
give free libraries?

MARY. I can't say I ever heard of that; but he does things quite
as wonderful! Listen! What do you think of the BISHOP OF BENARES!!

MANSON [unimpressed]. Oh, it's the--Bishop of Benares, is it?

MARY. I must say, you don't seem very surprised! Surely you've
heard of him? He _comes_ from India.

MANSON [quietly]. I happen to know him.

VICAR. No, really: this is most interesting!

MANSON. As a man might know _his own soul_, sir--As they say in
India. His work has been mine, so to speak.

VICAR. Bless me, you will know him better than I do. I have never
seen him since I was quite a little lad.

MARY [with prodigious solemnity]. Just you think, Manson! He's my
uncle--my own father's brother!

[MANSON is now up stage between the two.]

MANSON. _Your_ brother, sir?

VICAR [fervently]. I am grateful to God for it, Manson: he is.

[MANSON regards him calmly for a moment: then he turns inquiringly
towards Mary.]

MANSON. Then--Miss Mary? . . .

VICAR [quickly]. Oh, my niece is the daughter of--of my other
brother.

MANSON. I see: _two_ brothers?

VICAR [shortly]. Yes, yes, I have: I--I had.

MANSON [resuming his work at the table]. Thank you, sir: it's
always helpful, coming to a new place, to know who are--and who are
not--the family connections.

VICAR. Come, Rogers! My poor brethren in the church are waiting.
I must see to their necessities at once. [He starts for the door.]

MANSON. Pardon me, sir.

[He hands him the bread which, among those necessities, he has
forgotten. The VICAR looks at him a moment in troubled thought,
and then goes out, followed by ROGERS.]

ROGERS [at door]. I'll be back to 'elp you in with the breakfast,
Mr. Manson. [Exit.]

MARY. Now, Manson: let's talk! You've got nothing more to do? . . .

MANSON. Not till breakfast.

MARY. Then come over here, and make ourselves comfy.

[They go over to the settee: she plumps herself down, ga