MARY. You know, _you'll_ make me positively dislike him! Just fancy, Manson, meeting an uncle whom you've never so much as set eyes on before! I don't even know what he looks like. [She is looking MANSON in the face. He returns her gaze curiously.] MANSON. Then--you have a surprise in store. MARY. _You_ ought to be awfully interested! 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, gathering her legs up into a little bunch. He seats himself beside her.] Now! Tell me everything you know about the Bishop of Benares! MANSON. What--Uncle Josh?