(Doorbell rings)
MARIA : Who could that be, so late?
JOHN : I’ll go and see.
MARIA : Oh, I wouldn’t Who knows… at this hour?
JOHN : Yes, you may be right. (Doorbell rings again) But anyway, let’s see. Good evening. What can I do for you?
VISITOR : I wonder… I’m looking for a Mr. and Mrs. Sallis.
JOHN : Oh really! In what connection?
VISITOR : Some friends told me to look them up.
JOHN : Friends?
VISITOR : They said I must look them up.
JOHN : What friends?
VISITOR : Mary and Edward Rolls.
JOHN : Oh, Mary and Edward – but it is a bit late. Why didn’t you call earlier?
VISITOR : I missed a train, then a bus
JOHN : Really? That was a bit careless, wasn’t it? Well, I suppose you’d better come in. I’m Harry Sallis. And this is my wife, Maria.
MARIA : Well, what’s your name?
VISITOR : Bridges. John Bridges.
MARIA : And you know Mary and Edward?
VISITOR : Yes, very well. I’ve known them for years. They said as I was in this part of the country…
JOHN : Sit down.
VISITOR : I’m sorry it’s so late. It’s really inexcusable.
JOHN : And how are Mary and Edward?
VISITOR : Oh, very well. They sent you their best wishes.
JOHN : What’s Edward doing nowadays?
VISITOR : Oh, working… the same thing.
MARIA : How d’you mean, the same thing?
VISITOR : Oh, working very hard.
JOHN : You know them quite well?
VISITOR : Of course.
MARIA : And what did they suggest can we do for you?
VISITOR : Oh, nothing. But actually, I wondered if you’d put me up
JOHN : Well. I don’t know. I mean frankly, I’m a bit doubtful.
VISITOR : About what?
JOHN : Well, I don’t want to be discourteous, or anything but after all, you could be anyone…
VISITOR : But, Mary and Edward…
JOHN : That’s all very well. But I’d like to ask you more about them. You haven’t told us much.
VISITOR : Haven’t I? No, I suppose I haven’t.
