Her Own Way | Page 9

I came. He seems a clever chap!
MRS. CARLEY. We think so, and we hope so. He adores Georgiana.
DICK. Oh!
MRS. CARLEY. Huh! huh! [DICK walks away.] What do you say to that match?
DICK. You don't mean?--
[Turns to MRS. CARLEY.
MRS. CARLEY. Looks like it! It would be a fine thing for both of them. Sam could give her a fortune, and Georgiana give him a big position.
DICK. But--
MRS. CARLEY. He's crazy about her! Comes here every day--follows her like a dog.
DICK. But it isn't--
MRS. CARLEY. [Interrupting.] Not yet, but we don't dare breathe! And we're on tiptoe for the final word.
DICK. What does Steven say?
MRS. CARLEY. Delighted, of course. [Walks away a little.] I hope you haven't brought Steve any tips to-day.
DICK. [Laughing.] No!
MRS. CARLEY. Thank goodness! He doesn't seem to have had any this week and the house has been fairly quiet! [GEORGIANA comes back.] I must go to Mrs. Vale. [Goes out.]
GEORGIANA. Mother looks pleased.
DICK. She's never very depressed, is she?
GEORGIANA. Yes, sometimes,--in the day-time! It's largely a matter of frocks and bonnets, and depends sometimes on the exact color of her hair.
DICK. I often wonder that you keep on living with Mrs. Carley and Louise. They can't help being beastly uncongenial to you.
GEORGIANA. But Mrs. Carley brought me up. She did her worst with the best intentions, and you mustn't forget Steve! [She sits beside the table and DICK leans against it to talk to her.] He's my own brother, you know, and I'm so afraid Louise will finally disillusion him and spoil his happiness. I'm standing on guard.
DICK. You think a lot of Steve.
GEORGIANA. I love him better than any one else in the world. [She adds in a very low voice.] Almost!
[A short pause.
DICK. Steve comes second!
[Pause.
GEORGIANA. [Low voice and looking away.] Perhaps.
DICK. I hope you don't mind my asking you these questions.
GEORGIANA. No, I like it.
DICK. I don't want you to tell me anything more than you care to.
GEORGIANA. [Turning and half laughing.] That's very good of you.
DICK. But I wish you'd tell me everything.
GEORGIANA. My dear Dick, there isn't anything more for me to tell.
DICK. Oh, very well, if you want to leave it that way.
[Moving away.
GEORGIANA. Leave what?
DICK. I mean if that's all you want to tell me.
GEORGIANA. Why don't you tell me something.
DICK. That's what I've come to do.
GEORGIANA. Have you?
DICK. [Turns and faces GEORGIANA.] Our regiment is ordered off to the Philippines.
GEORGIANA. Your regiment?
DICK. Yes.
GEORGIANA. [Breathless.] Who's going?
DICK. Who? Why, we're going, of course.
GEORGIANA. All of you?
DICK. Yes, all of us. There are two insurrections on a couple of islands that must be put down, and they want some fresh men.
GEORGIANA. But it will be awful warfare out there, won't it, unfair, cruel, unlawful warfare?
DICK. I suppose that's what it's likely to be with the natives until we teach them a thorough lesson on every one of the infernal islands.
GEORGIANA. But--
[Hesitates, rises; they are both in front of the table.
DICK. But what?
GEORGIANA. [Pause.] But your business,--how can you leave your office?
DICK. There are plenty of people who'll be only too glad to take on my clients.
GEORGIANA. But when you come back?
DICK. If the worst comes to the worst, I'll have to begin all over again.
GEORGIANA. No! Don't go--Dick! Don't go!
DICK. Why not?
GEORGIANA. [Humorously, to cover her emotion.] I don't want any one else to get your clients.
DICK. Oh, you were thinking of my career! That'll take care of itself if I come back--and if I don't--
GEORGIANA. Please!
DICK. They said we were a lot of dandies in the regiment, and that if it ever came to fighting, people'd see us back down!
GEORGIANA. But need you all go?
DICK. That's the glory of it! It's fine, Georgy. There isn't a single man who'll be left behind, not on any old excuse!
GEORGIANA. Splendid!
DICK. You do want me to go, then, don't you?
GEORGIANA. Yes, if it's like that, I want you to go--but--I want you to come back, too!
[Almost breaking down.]
DICK. Hello! I believe you're crying.
GEORGIANA. I'm not!
DICK. [Tenderly, scarcely believing.] Do you care so much as that, Georgy?
GEORGIANA. [Proudly.] Of course I care!
DICK. It's funny, isn't it--think how long we've known each other.
GEORGIANA. [Still with a choke and a tear.] I don't see why it's funny.
DICK. What I mean is, we're sentimental beasts--we people.
GEORGIANA. Thank you, I don't care for the way you put it.
DICK. [Takes a long breath.] Well, I wish you joy, Georgiana.
GEORGIANA. Much obliged.
DICK. And good-by.
[Shakes hands.
GEORGIANA. [Rises.] Not now, for good.
DICK. [Laughing.] Oh, no, we aren't off for ten days yet. But I wanted to tell my old pal first.
GEORGIANA. That was good of you. And you'll come in often before you go, won't you, Dick?
DICK. You bet! Every chance I get.
[Both go up to the window. He has meant to go, but she manoeuvres him to the big seat instead.
GEORGIANA. And