The Girl with the Green Eyes | Page 5

laugh.
[SUSIE, sliding off her chair at back, comes forward.
SUSIE. Now, it's my turn! You can't chuck me!
JINNY. [Trying not to laugh.] Susie! where did you come from and what do you mean?
SUSIE. Oh, you give me a pain!--I went up the aisle with you to-day, too--what's the matter with telling me how to get married!
JINNY. I'll tell you this, your language is dreadful; where do you get all the boy's slang? You don't talk like a lady.
SUSIE. I'm not a lady. I'm a little girl!
JINNY. You talk much more like a common boy.
SUSIE. Well, I'd rather be a boy!
JINNY. Susie, I shall tell Aunt Laura her daughter needs looking after.
SUSIE. Oh, very well, cousin Jinny. If you're going to make trouble, why, forget it!
[Turns and goes out haughtily, Right.
JINNY. [Going to the double doors, calls.] Now you can come in, Jack.
[AUSTIN enters.
AUSTIN. And now I've only time to say good-by. All your guests have gone except the Cullinghams, who are upstairs with your mother, looking at the presents.
GERTRUDE. Come! All hands around him!
[The five GIRLS join hands, with AUSTIN in the centre.
BELLE. We don't care if every one else has gone or not, we're here yet!
AUSTIN. So I see! But I am ordered by my father-in-law--ahem! [all laugh] --to go to my room, or he thinks there will be danger of our losing our train.
ALL THE BRIDESMAIDS. [Ad lib.] Where are you going? Where are you going? We won't let you out till you tell us.
AUSTIN. I daren't--I'm afraid of my wife!
JINNY. Bravo, Jack!
GRACE. Very well, then, we'll let you out, on one condition, that you kiss us all in turn.
[The GIRLS laugh.
JINNY. No! No! [Breaking away.] He shan't do any such thing!
[They all laugh and break up the ring.
GERTRUDE. Dear me, isn't she jealous!
BELLE. Yes, it is evidently time we all went! Good-by, Jinny! [Kissing her.] A happy journey to Washington!
JINNY. No, it isn't!
[General good-bys. JINNY begins with RUTH at one end, and AUSTIN at the other; he says good-by and shakes hands with each girl.
GERTRUDE. [Kissing JINNY.] Good-by, and a pleasant trip to Niagara Falls!
JINNY. Not a bit!
GRACE. [Kissing JINNY.] Good-by, I believe it's Boston or Chicago!
JINNY. Neither!
RUTH. Good-by, dear, and all the happiness in the world!
[Kisses her.
JINNY. Thank you.
[She turns and goes with the other three girls to the double doors at back, where they are heard talking.
RUTH. Mr. Austin?
AUSTIN. Yes?
[Joining her.
RUTH. [Embarrassed.] You like your new brother, don't you?
AUSTIN. Geof? most certainly I do, and Jinny adores him.
RUTH. I know, then, you'll be a good friend to him if he needs one.
AUSTIN. Surely I will.
RUTH. I think he does need one.
AUSTIN. Really--
[The GIRLS are passing out through the doors.
BELLE. Come along, Ruth.
[THEY pass out and JINNY stands in the doorway talking to them till they are out of hearing.
RUTH. Sh! please don't tell any one, not even Jinny, what I've said! I may be betraying something I've no right to do, and don't tell him I've spoken to you.
AUSTIN. All right!
[JINNY turns around in the doorway.
RUTH. Thank you--and good-by.
[Shaking his hand again.
[JINNY notices that they shake hands twice. A queer little look comes into her face.
AUSTIN. Good-by.
RUTH. Have they gone?--Oh! [Hurrying past JINNY.] Good-by, dear.
[She goes out through the double doors.
JINNY. [In a curious little voice.] Good-by....
[She comes slowly down the room toward AUSTIN, and smiles at him quizzically.] What were you two saying?
AUSTIN. Good-by!
JINNY. But you'd said it once to her already! Why did you have to say good-by twice to Ruth? Once was enough for all the other girls!
AUSTIN. [Banteringly.] The first time I said good-by to her, and the second time she said good-by to me!
JINNY. Do you know what I believe--Ruth Chester's in love with you!
AUSTIN. Oh, darling!
[Laughs.
JINNY. Yes, that explains the whole thing. No wonder she was triste to-day.
AUSTIN. [Laughing.] Jinny, sweetheart, don't get such an absurd notion into your head.
JINNY. [Looks straight at him a moment, then speaks tenderly.] No--no--I know it's not your fault. There was no other woman in this house for you to-day but me, was there?
AUSTIN. There was no other woman in the world for me since the first week I knew you.
[Taking her into his arms.
JINNY. This is good-by to Jinny Tillman!
[He kisses her.
Jack, darling, do you think I could sit on your knee like a little child and put my arm around your neck and rest my head on your shoulder for just five seconds--I'm so tired!
[MRS. CULLINGHAM opens the door.
MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh!
[Shuts the door very quickly and knocks.
[JINNY and AUSTIN laugh.
JINNY. Yes, yes--come in!
[MRS. CULLINGHAM enters. She is a handsome, whole-souled, florid woman; one of those creatures of inexhaustible vitality who make people of a nervous temperament tired almost on contact by sheer contrast. She is the kindest, best meaning creature in the world.
MRS. CULLINGHAM. Oh, do excuse me! I haven't any more