- 159 NARESH: [Going up to her and placing an invitation card near her teacup} A dinner invitation from the Guhas -- next Thursday. MALA: I'm not coming. I don't like Mrs. Guha. NARESH: You don't like any of my friends, do you? MALA: Is Mrs. Guha one of your friends? I didn't know it. NARESH: Mr. Guha is one of my friends. {Satirically) Mrs. Guha is Mr. Guha's wife, {Pause. Music rises and subsides as he goes back to his desk.} MALA: Mr. Guha's wife is a friend of my husband. NARESH: {Turning round on her sharply} I didn't say that. MALA: No, I'm saying ite (Pause. Music louder. He looks squarely at her for the first time since his entrance. She gases back at him steadily^ knowing she's on firm ground. Music subsides.} Shall I pour out some tea for you? {She starts pouring the tea}. NARESH: Yes. {Satirically} And dip a slice ob bread in it for me. {she freezes} Put the slice of bread dipped in tea into my mouth. {She resumes making the cup of tea^ stirring the sugar.} MALA: I will , I will. {She dips a slice of bread in the cup of tea and holds it out to him^ dripping. He takes it in his mouthy chews it in an exaggerated way, ) NARESH: {chewing) Thank yoUc That was delicious. MALA: I love it too. NARESH: {Poising his voice} I hate it. MALA: (Raising her voice} Don't ask for it, then. Come on, sit down, have your tea, NARESH: (Turning away and walking towards his desk} I don't want ito {He s^'ts at his desk} MALA: {Protesting} I made it for you. Please have it {Pause} I'll bring it to your table» {She does so} NARESH: I don't want it. MALA: Please, I beg of you. {He takes up the cup and gulps down the tea} Was it hot enough?