Her Own Way | Page 7

Georgiana.
[He sits by the table.
COAST. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this.
STEVEN. I give you my word, Sam.
COAST. Why not let the old lady in, too, Aunt Laura, if it's such a good thing?
[He gives a side look at STEVEN.
STEVEN. Didn't they tell you?
COAST. What?
STEVEN. I put mother into East Mexicos!
COAST. Gee!
[Whistles, crosses to the sofa Right, and sits on GEORGIANA'S furs; jumps up quickly, moves the furs, and then sits again.
STEVEN. That was an extraordinary thing. No one knows how it happened, but she lost every cent.
COAST. But--
STEVEN. Dear old Georgiana pays the interest for me, and the old lady doesn't know.
COAST. Georgiana's a damn fine girl.
STEVEN. She is! I'll pay her back out of this coup, too, another good thing.
COAST. Fine!
STEVEN. I believe I'll go back down town now.
[Both rise and go Left as MOLES comes in.
COAST. All right. Come on, we'll go together.
STEVEN. Good!
MOLES. Please, sir, may I speak to you a minute, Mr. Carley?
COAST. I'll wait downstairs, Steve.
[He goes out Left.
STEVEN. Yes, Moles?
MOLES. The champagne is out, sir.
STEVEN. Order another case.
MOLES. I did, three days ago, over the telephone, and I called them up yesterday to ask about it, and they said your bill was so long outstanding they'd please like it settled before filling any future orders.
STEVEN. Tell Mrs. Carley; the household bills are her affair, aren't they?
MOLES. She says there is some mistake. She gave you a check for the wine bill last month, sir.
STEVEN. Did she? Oh, of course she did. It was the day I heard about Alabama Rails and I bought a couple on margin! They're down just now. The wine people must wait.
[Dismissing him.
MOLES. But we've a big luncheon, sir, to-morrow and no wine.
STEVEN. Very well, then, I'll get Miss Georgiana to give you a check. I don't want to bother Mrs. Carley, she's got a headache.
MOLES. The wages are due, sir, and the trades books weren't settled last month.
STEVEN. Well, I'll attend to it all to-morrow or next day, Moles. Give me my coat, will you? [MOLES gets the coat from the sofa and hands it to STEVEN.] I've been short of ready money for a little while, but things are looking up. By the way, you're a good sort; I'd like to do you a good turn. I happen to be on to something, Moles, on to something down in Wall Street. Would you like to make a little money?
MOLES. [Brightening visibly.] Indeed and I would, sir. I've got two thousand three hundred and sixteen dollars in my savings bank, and I've heard of how these Wall Street magnums made fortunes out of less'n that.
STEVEN. I'll double it for you! You get it for me, Moles, and I'll make it into five or six thousand for you, sure!
MOLES. Thank you, sir!
STEVEN. [Writes in note book.] I'll put in an order to buy for you the first thing in the morning; and you have your money down at my office by ten o'clock, can you?
MOLES. Yes, sir, I can get off in the morning. I can't thank you enough, sir!
STEVEN. Oh, that's all right,--we'll be a rich household here before we get through, Moles. They'll be telephoning us to please send in some orders for champagne!
[Puts note-book away.
MOLES. Oh, don't trouble about these bills, sir. I can hold off the people a little longer, and I'll order the wine in another place.
STEVEN. That's a good boy, Moles, then I won't have to bother my sister.
MOLES. Yes, sir.
[He goes out as GEORGIANA and the children enter Left.
GEORGIANA. Here's papa! Come along, now, Steve, I've promised the children a game of hide and go seek!
STEVEN. All right, I knew father wanted to do something very much,--only couldn't think what. Of course, it was hide and seek!
GEORGIANA. Philip must be "it" first!
PHILIP. All right!
[PHILIP goes into the corner Right, with his back to the others. All hide behind or under the different pieces of furniture--GEORGIANA under the table, TOOTS back of the rocker, STEVEN under the sofa, etc.
PHILIP. [Impatient.] Are you ready?
[Pause.
CHRISTOPHER. Not yet!
[Getting behind curtains Centre window.
PHILIP. Now are you ready?
[LIZZIE comes in Left, as soon as STEVEN hides under sofa.
GEORGIANA. Not yet!
[Getting under the table.
LIZZIE. Mr. Carley, please, sir!
STEVEN. [Putting his head out from under the sofa.] Yes, Lizzie?
CHRISTOPHER. Don't turn round, Phil, it's only Lizzie. Wait!
LIZZIE. Excuse me, but Mr. Coast sent me upstairs to see--
STEVEN. Oh, by George, yes! [Coming out from the sofa.] I forgot. I must go back down town.
PHILIP. Oh, pshaw!
[About to turn.
GEORGIANA. Don't turn, Phil!
CHRISTOPHER. No, the rest of us is hid!
STEVEN. I'm sorry, children! Father'd a great deal rather play hide and seek, but he's got to go to work. It's just like when you'd rather play but have to study!
PHILIP. When I get growed, I shan't never