had hurt you for the sake of five shillings.

THE YOUNG LADY (with cool insolence). Well, so you have! (She gets
up.) Why shouldn't you? it's your business to hurt people. (It amuses
him to be treated in this fashion: he chuckles secretly as he proceeds
to clean and replace his instruments. She shakes her dress into order;
looks inquisitively about her; and goes to the window.) You have a good
view of the sea from these rooms! Are they expensive?

THE DENTIST. Yes.

THE YOUNG LADY. You don't own the whole house, do you?

THE DENTIST. No.

THE YOUNG LADY (taking the chair which stands at the writing-table
and looking critically at it as she spins it round on one leg.) Your
furniture isn't quite the latest thing, is it?

THE DENTIST. It's my landlord's.

THE YOUNG LADY. Does he own that nice comfortable Bath chair?
(pointing to the operating chair.)

THE DENTIST. No: I have that on the hire-purchase system.

THE YOUNG LADY (disparagingly). I thought so. (Looking about her
again in search of further conclusions.) I suppose you haven't been here
long?