The Story of the Gadsby | Page 4

THREEGAN'S Bedroom at Simla.

Miss THREEGAN, in window-seat, turning over a drawerful of things.
Miss EMMA DEERCOURT, bosom - friend, who has come to spend
the day, sitting on the bed, manipulating the bodice of a ballroom frock,
and a bunch of artificial lilies of the valley. Time, 5:30 P. M. on a hot
May afternoon.
Miss DEERCOURT. And he said: "I shall never forget this dance," and,
of course, I said: "Oh, how can you be so silly!" Do you think he meant
any-thing, dear?
Miss THREEGAN. (Extracting long lavender silk stocking from the
rubbish.) You know him better than I do.
Miss D. Oh, do be sympathetic, Minnie! I'm sure he does. At least I
would be sure if he wasn't always riding with that odious Mrs. Hagan.
Miss T. I suppose so. How does one manage to dance through one's
heels first? Look at this-isn't it shameful? (Spreads stocking-heel on
open hand for inspection.)
Miss D. Never mind that! You can't mend it. Help me with this hateful
bodice. I've run the string so, and I've run the string so, and I can't make
the fulness come right. Where would you put this? (Waves lilies of the
valley.)
Miss T. As high up on the shoulder as possible.
Miss D. Am I quite tall enough? I know it makes May Older look
lopsided.
Miss T. Yes, but May hasn't your shoulders. Hers are like a hock-bottle.
BEARER. (Rapping at door.) Captain Sahib aya.
Miss D. (Jumping up wildly, and hunting for bodice, which she has
discarded owing to the heat of the day.) Captain Sahib! What Captain
Sahib? Oh, good gracious, and I'm only half dressed! Well, I sha'n't
bother.

Miss T. (Calmly.) You needn't. It isn't for us. That's Captain Gadsby.
He is going for a ride with Mamma. He generally comes five days out
of the seven.
AGONIZED VOICE. (Prom an inner apartment.) Minnie, run out and
give Captain Gadsby some tea, and tell him I shall be ready in ten
minutes; and, O Minnie, come to me an instant, there's a dear girl!
Miss T. Oh, bother! (Aloud.) Very well, Mamma.
Exit, and reappears, after five minutes, flushed, and rubbing her fingers.
Miss D. You look pink. What has happened?
Miss T. (In a stage whisper.) A twenty-four-inch waist, and she won't
let it out. Where are my bangles? (Rummager on the toilet-table, and
dabs at her hair with a brush in the interval.)
Miss D. Who is this Captain Gadsby? I don't think I've met him.
Miss T. You must have. He belongs to the Harrar set. I've danced with
him, but I've never talked to him. He's a big yellow man, just like a
newly-hatched chicken, with an enormous moustache. He walks like
this (imitates Cavalry swagger), and he goes "Ha-Hmmm!" deep down
in his throat when he can't think of anything to say. Mamma likes him.
I don't.
Miss D. (Abstractedly.) Does he wax that moustache?
Miss T. (Busy with Powder-puff.) Yes, I think so. Why?
Miss D. (Bending over the bodice and sewing furiously.) Oh,
nothing-only-Miss T. (Sternly.) Only what? Out with it, Emma.
Miss D. Well, May Olger-she's engaged to Mr. Charteris, you
know-said-Promise you won't repeat this?
Miss T. Yes, I promise. What did she say?

Miss D. That-that being kissed (with a rush) with a man who didn't wax
his moustache was-like eating an egg without salt.
Miss T. (At her full height, with crushing scorn.) May Olger is a horrid,
nasty Thing, and you can tell her I said so. I'm glad she doesn't belong
to my set-I must go and feed this man! Do I look presentable?
Miss D. Yes, perfectly. Be quick and hand him over to your Mother,
and then we can talk. I shall listen at the door to hear what you say to
him.
Miss T. 'Sure I don't care. I'm not afraid of Captain Gadsby.
In proof of this swings into the drawing-room with a mannish stride
followed by two short steps, which Produces the effect of a restive
horse entering. Misses CAPTAIN GADSBY, who is sitting in the
shadow of the window-curtain, and gazes round helplessly.
CAPTAIN GADSBY. (Aside.) The filly, by Jove! 'Must ha' picked up
that action from the sire. (Aloud, rising.) Good evening, Miss
Threegan.
Miss T. (Conscious that she is flushing.) Good evening, Captain
Gadsby. Mamma told me to say that she will be ready in a few minutes.
Won't you have some tea? (Aside.) I hope Mamma will be quick. What
am I to say to the creature? (Aloud and abruptly.) Milk and sugar?
CAPT. G. No sugar, tha-anks, and very little milk. Ha-Hmmm.
Miss T. (Aside.) If he's going to do that, I'm lost. I shall laugh. I know I
shall!
CAPT. G. (Pulling at his