wn here, perhaps in this very place, just
like . . .

[She breaks off suddenly, gazing at him; for his eyes have taken a
strange fire.]

MANSON. Just like I am now . . .

MARY [falteringly]. Yes . . .

MANSON. Talking to you . . .

MARY. Oh! . . . [She rises, afraid.]

MANSON [softly], Mary . . .

MARY [in a whisper]. Who are you? . . .

MANSON. I am . . .

[He is interrupted by the great bell of the church, which tolls the
Sanctus. After the third stroke, he continues.]

I am the servant in this house. I have my work to do. Would you
like to help me?

MARY. What shall I do?

MANSON. Help to spin she fairy-tale. Will you?

MARY. I will.

MANSON. Then keep the secret--Remember! And wish hard.

MARY. Do you believe in wishing?

MANSON. Everything comes true, if you wish hard enough.

MARY. What shall I wish for?

MANSON. What have you needed most? What have you not had? Think
it out.

[Enter AUNTIE in a negligee morning gown. She has a preoccupied
air. She carries her husband's coat over her arm.]

AUNTIE. Oh, I heard you had arrived. I hope they gave you
something to eat when you came in.

MANSON. Thank you, ma'am: it will do later.

AUNTIE. Mary . . . Dearest . . .

MARY. Oh, I beg your pardon, auntie dear, I . . .

AUNTIE. Dreaming again! [Putting her arm round her.] Come, I
want you to put your uncle's coat by the fire. He will be cold,
coming out of that draughty church.

MARY [hugging her]. You darling! I believe you think of nobody
but uncle in the world!

AUNTIE. And you, sweetheart: you come next--a very near next!
Now, run along.

[MARY takes the coat to the fire.]

[Surveying the table]. That's very nice, Manson, very nice indeed!
Perhaps, just a little further this way. . . . [Removes flowers.]
My husband is so fond of them. Ye-es; and I _wanted_ things
_particularly_ nice this morning . . .

MARY [at the fire, looking up]. I thought you said you--you didn't
expect him till twelve-thirty! . . .

AUNTIE [absorbed]. Whom?

MARY [chuckling]. The--the Bishop of Benares.

AUNTIE. The--the . . . Oh, it's your _uncle_ I am . . . [To
Manson]. By-the-bye, has the postman been yet?

MANSON [at the window]. I can see him coming up the lane. He's
stopped at the next house.

AUNTIE. Oh, then, Mary: will you very much mind if you don't have
breakfast with us this morning? I want to have a private talk with
your uncle.

MA