(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?
THE DENTIST. Six weeks. Is there anything else you would like to
know?
THE YOUNG LADY (the hint quite lost on her). Any family?
THE DENTIST. I am not married.
THE YOUNG LADY. Of course not: anybody can see that. I meant
sisters and mother and that sort of thing.
THE DENTIST. Not on the premises.
THE YOUNG LADY. Hm! If you've been here six weeks, and mine was
your first tooth, the practice can't be very large, can it?
THE DENTIST.
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