MANSON. Ssh! They may hear you!

MARY. If I whisper . . .

MANSON. They are very near! . . .

[Disengaging himself.] I must be about my business. Is this the
bell to the kitchen?

MARY. Yes. Let me help you.

[MANSON having rung the bell, they begin to remove the breakfast
things. MARY employs herself with the crumb-scoop.]

If auntie and uncle could see me now! If they only knew! I've
kept the secret: I've told nobody! . . .

These will do for the birds. Look, I'll take them now. [She
throws the crumbs out of the French windows.] Poor little mites!
[She returns to the table.]

MANSON. You are fond of the birds?

MARY. Just love them! Don't you?

MANSON, They are my very good friends. Now, take the cassock.
Fold it up and put it on the chair.

[ROGERS enters whilst he gives this command.]