serene. [_She goes to the door on the left; FARNCOMBE, BLAND, and
ROPER get in each other's way in their desire to open it for her._] If
any of you want a drink, you must hunt for it yourselves in the
dining-room. [_To ROPER._] You play host, Uncle Lal.
[_She disappears, turning to the left and ascending the stairs._
ROPER.
[_Briskly._] Now, then, give your orders, gents! [_Coming forward._]
Ladies, don't all speak at once.
FULKERSON.
[_Making for the door._] I'll have sma' whiskeyan' soda.
[_He goes along the landing and down the stairs._
BLAND.
[_Following him._] No, no! Bertie! Bertie----!
JIMMIE.
[_Seated in the arm-chair by the centre table-- to ROPER._] Stop it.
We'll have trouble enough to get that boy home as it is.
[_ROPER hurries out after BLAND and FULKERSON. VON RETTENMAYER and DE
CASTRO also move to the door._
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_To ENID, who is sitting with GABRIELLE on the settee._] Enid----?
ENID.
A glass of soda-water.
GABRIELLE.
Same for me, Von.
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_To JIMMIE._] Jimmie----?
JIMMIE.
No, thanks.
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Looking down upon DAPHNE, who has curled herself up on the
box-ottoman and is already asleep-- sentimentally._] Baby-- baby----
DAPHNE.
[_Half sighing, half moaning._] Ah-h-h-h!
JIMMIE.
[_To VON RETTENMAYER._] Don't disturb her. Let her have her snooze in
peace.
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Still contemplating DAPHNE._] Shall I bring you your boddle, you
preddy liddle baby?
ENID.
[_Annoyed._] Don't be an idiot, Karl. [_To DE CASTRO, who is talking
to FARNCOMBE._] Sam, will _you_ fetch me some soda-water?
VON RETTENMAYER. [_To ENID, bestirring himself._] I beg bardon.
[_He goes out, with DE CASTRO. ENID has taken the mirror from the
table and now looks at herself in it._
ENID.
What a sight! [_To GABRIELLE._] I wonder whether Lil would mind me
going into her bedroom?
GABRIELLE.
[_Taking the mirror from ENID._] Of course she wouldn't. [_Viewing
herself with dismay._] Oh, I'm yellower than you!
[_She jumps up, throwing the mirror upon the settee, and goes to the
door in the centre. ENID follows her and the two girls open the door
narrowly and withdraw. JIMMIE rises and picks up the mirror._
JIMMIE.
[_With one knee upon the settee, surveying herself._] Ugh, you lovely
creature! [_Glancing at FARNCOMBE as she readjusts a comb, and finding
that he is gazing at her earnestly._] Turn your face to the wall,
please; I'm about to use my puff.
[_Suddenly, with rapid movements, he shuts the door on the left, gives
a quick look at DAPHNE, assures himself that the centre door is
closed, and comes to JIMMIE. She stares at him in astonishment._
FARNCOMBE.
[_Standing at the back of the settee-- in a low voice._] Miss Birch,
you're Miss Parradell's friend-- her great friend. Will you be a
friend of mine too, and do me a service?
JIMMIE.
[_Startled._] It-- it all depends----
FARNCOMBE.
Beg her to allow me to remain behind, with you, for a few minutes
after the others have gone.
JIMMIE.
Remain-- you and I?
FARNCOMBE.
And then, if she will, will you wait in the next room while I speak to
her? Miss Birch, I-- I must speak to her.
JIMMIE.
W-w-wouldn't-- to-morrow----?
FARNCOMBE.
It _is_ to-morrow _now_. It's day.
JIMMIE.
[_Dropping her eyes._] She's tired.
FARNCOMBE.
Five minutes-- no longer. [_Entreatingly._] Won't you try to arrange
it for me?
JIMMIE.
[_Pursing her lips._] H'm! _I'd_ stay; delighted. [_Demurely._] It
doesn't matter how tired _I_ feel.
FARNCOMBE.
[_Contritely._] I'm a brute!
JIMMIE.
But I really think the _arranging_ is your job, Lord Farncombe.
FARNCOMBE.
I know I should make a bungle of it with all these people round me,
and attract attention. _You're_ clever.
JIMMIE.
[_Raising her eyes to his, abruptly._] Look here! Do I guess
correctly?
FARNCOMBE.
What----?
[_She pulls him towards her and whispers into his ear. He nods. She
whispers again, breathlessly, and then releases him._
JIMMIE.
Eh? Eh?
FARNCOMBE.
[_Drawing back and facing her, firmly._] Yes.
JIMMIE.
[_Walking away, in a flutter._] Oh! Oh! Oh!
FARNCOMBE.
You'll help me? [_She pauses, deliberating._] You'll help me?
JIMMIE.
[_Returning to him, with an air of prudence._] I tell you what I
_will_ do. [_Pointing to the writing-table._] Scribble her a note--
a line-- and I'll give it to her. That won't attract attention. I've
no objection to do _that_ for you. Hurry up! [_He sits at the
writing-table and searches for writing materials._] In the drawer.
[_He opens a drawer and takes out a sheet of note-paper. Standing at
the other side of the table, she selects a pen and hands it to him._]
A "J" suit you?
FARNCOMBE.
[_Taking the pen from her._] What shall I say?
JIMMIE.
Ho, ho! Well, I _never_! [_He writes._] Oh, but it isn't exactly a
love-letter, is it? Simply say-- what was the expression you used just
now?-- "will you allow me to remain behind for a few minutes with Miss
Birch after the others have gone?"
FARNCOMBE.
[_Writing._] Thank you.
JIMMIE.
[_With a little wriggle._] Call me Jimmie if you like.
FARNCOMBE.
Thank you.
JIMMIE.
[_Knitting her brow thoughtfully._] I suppose you ought to give her an
inkling, though-- the merest hint-- of the _reason_, oughtn't you?
FARNCOMBE.
[_Looking up._] Ought I?
JIMMIE.
Well, you don't want her to think it's only to chat about the
weather----!
FARNCOMBE.
For heaven's sake, don't chaff me! [_writing_] "--after the others
have gone?" [_Biting his pen._] How would this do? "I know I am
presuming a lot, but I-- I can't leave you-- I can't leave you till
I-- till I have asked you-- till I have asked you the most important
question a man can put to a woman."
JIMMIE.
Oh, but that's ideal! [_GABRIELLE reappears._] Dash these girls! [_To
GABRIELLE, whose complexion is much improved._] Lord Farncombe is
writing me out a remedy for freckles. Isn't it sweet of him?
GABRIELLE.
[_Mournfully._] Freckles! If you want to see a martyr to freckles,
knock at _my_ door.
[_ENID returns, with lips that are a little too red, as VON
RETTENMAYER and DE CASTRO re-enter at the door on the left. They leave
the door open. VON RETTENMAYER is carrying a syphon of soda-water and
DE CASTRO two tumblers. The men put the syphon and tumblers on the
centre table and VON RETTENMAYER fills the glasses and he and DE
CASTRO hand them to ENID and GABRIELLE._
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_To ENID and GABRIELLE._] I hobe we haf nod kepd you waiding.
DE CASTRO.
Bertie'th been makin' himthelf a reg'lar nuithanthe downthairth.
ENID.
Poor Bertie! Pity he has this little failing.
GABRIELLE.
[_With mild enthusiasm._] Yes, there's not a nicer boy in London than
Bertie, bar that.
DE CASTRO.
Flieth to hith head tho!
[_The four continue talking. JIMMIE has gone back to FARNCOMBE, who is
still writing, and is watching him impatiently._
JIMMIE.
[_To FARNCOMBE, under her breath._] Do be quick!
[_Hastily he blots his note and folds it. BLAND, FULKERSON, and ROPER
appear on the landing, issuing from the staircase, and there they are
joined by LILY, who comes down the stairs._
FULKERSON.
[_On the landing, to LILY, indignantly._] Lirry-- Misspa'dell----
JIMMIE.
[_To FARNCOMBE._] Here she is!
ROPER.
[_To FULKERSON._] Now, then; have it out with Lily!
LILY.
What's wrong?
[_FARNCOMBE rises and slips his note into JIMMIE'S hand._
FULKERSON.
[_To LILY._] Mosht unjusht'fiable treatmen' 'n th' part 'f these
gen'lemen!
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Listening, with the others at the centre table, to what is going on
upon the landing._] Ha, ha, ha, ha!
JIMMIE.
[_To FARNCOMBE, over her shoulder._] Good luck!
BLAND.
[_To LILY._] The youth is irate with us for cutting off supplies.
[_LILY enters with FULKERSON; ROPER and BLAND following. BLAND strolls
over to the piano, laughing._
FULKERSON.
[_To LILY._] M' argumen' is this. When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th'
lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f refreshmen'----
LILY.
[_To FULKERSON._] Be quiet, Bertie, or I'll box your ears. [_Joining
the group at the centre table._] Ho, ho! I've had such a wigging for
asking you up. Mother says we girls'll look as ugly as sin on the
stage to-night.
ENID.
So we shall-- hags.
LILY.
[_Sitting in the arm-chair by the centre table._] I feel as fresh as
paint. [_To GABRIELLE._] Give me a sip.
[_DE CASTRO hands GABRIELLE'S glass to LILY._
FULKERSON.
[_Gazing at DAPHNE stupidly and singing to himself._] "Oh, the gals!
Oh, the gals! I am awfully fond of the gals!----"
VON RETTENMAYER, ROPER, DE CASTRO, ENID AND GABRIELLE.
[_Chiming in with FULKERSON lightly._] "Be they ebon or blond, Of the
gals I am fond;----"! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
BLAND.
H'sh, h'sh! Ma's quite right. [_Seating himself at the piano._] One
more turn and then let's clear out.
LILY.
[_Jumping up._] Hurrah! [_To ROPER, as BLAND runs his hands over the
key-board._] Shut the door, Uncle Lal.
VON RETTENMAYER.
Aha! One more durn! [_To ENID._] Enid----!
FULKERSON.
[_Singing._] "I am dreadfully fond of the gals!"
ROPER.
[_Closing the door._] Choose your partners, gents! [_Very softly BLAND
plays the melody of a languorous song and instantly VON RETTENMAYER
and ENID and DE CASTRO and GABRIELLE dance to it-- VON RETTENMAYER and
ENID at the back, DE CASTRO and GABRIELLE near the piano._]
Jimmie----!
[_JIMMIE passes LILY to go to ROPER. As she does so, she presses
FARNCOMBE'S note into LILY'S palm._
JIMMIE.
[_To LILY, in a whisper._] Rat-tat, says the postman! [_Catching hold
of ROPER and swinging him round._] La, ra, ral, la----!
LILY.
[_To FARNCOMBE, who is standing by the writing-table._] Lord
Farncombe----?
[_FARNCOMBE goes to her and they dance together._
FULKERSON.
[_To DAPHNE, tapping her on the shoulder._] Missdure, may I have th'
grea' pleasure----? [_Shaking her._] Missdure-- Missdure----
DAPHNE.
[_Starting up._] Oh! [_Looking round wildly._] Oh----!
FULKERSON.
[_Dancing with her._] Pray 'xcuse th' absence 'f gloves.
DAPHNE.
[_Faintly._] Oh! Oh, I-- I thought I'd gone to bed!
[_With their hands on each other's shoulders, the couples, swaying
from side to side, half sing, half murmur, the refrain of the song._
If you would only, only love me;
If you would merely, merely say,
Wait but a little, little for me,
I will be yours, be yours some day!
[_The refrain is repeated, the dancers droning to it with a, buzzing
sound, and then BLAND returns to the melody._
LILY.
[_As she dances, recollecting the note she is holding and opening
it._] What's this? [_Reading the note, her arm resting upon
FARNCOMBE'S shoulder._] "Dear Miss Parradell.... [_glancing at the
signature_] Farncombe"! [_To FARNCOMBE._] From you!
FARNCOMBE.
Yes.
LILY.
[_Reading._] "Will you allow me to----?"
[_She reads to the end silently, and then she stops dancing and they
stand for a moment looking confusedly at each other. Then, with an
expressionless face, she slips the note into her dress and they dance
again, singing the refrain as before._
BLAND.
[_At the finish, shutting down the lid of the piano and rising._]
Ladies and gentlemen, the festivities connected with Miss Parradell's
birthday are over. [_Leaving the piano._] Our lives will now resume
their normal, serious course.
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Regretfully._] Ah-h-h-h!
[_The ladies put on their wraps, the men their overcoats, and there is
a great deal of stir and chatter. DE CASTRO assists GABRIELLE; VON
RETTENMAYER, ENID; FULKERSON, DAPHNE; and FARNCOMBE, JIMMIE. LILY
joins in the talk and bustle with forced animation. JIMMIE and
FARNCOMBE glance at her, and then, inquiringly, at one another._
ROPER.
[_Putting on his overcoat with BLAND'S help._] Well, nobody can say
the affair hasn't been a brilliant success; that's one comfort.
GABRIELLE.
Wouldn't be true if they did. [_To DE CASTRO, irritably._] You've got
it inside-out.
LILY.
[_To ENID and GABRIELLE, kneeling upon the settee._] Ah, yes, haven't
we had a splendid, splendid time!
ENID.
Splendid!
VON RETTENMAYER.
A gharming pardy!
DE CASTRO.
Abtholutely A 1!
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Singing._] "Venus, seinen Nacken beut Dir Dein Sklave,
dienstbereit!"
LILY.
[_Running to ROPER and seizing his hands._] A vote of thanks to Lal
for his share in getting it up!
BLAND.
[_Slapping ROPER on the back._] Bravo, Lal!
SOME OF THE OTHERS.
Bravo, Lal!
LILY.
[_Walking about._] And to Carlton! Bravo, Carlton!
SOME OF THE OTHERS.
Bravo, Carlton! Bravo, Smythe!
DE CASTRO.
[_Putting on his overcoat._] Don't forget Morrie Coolin'!
LILY.
No, don't forget Morrie. Dear old Morrie!
SOME OF THE OTHERS.
Bravo, Morrie!
DE CASTRO.
There hathn't been a hitch from thtart to finish, in fact.
LILY.
[_At the nearer side of the table again._] Not a hitch.
FULKERSON.
[_Remembering his grievance._] I beg yo' par'n-- no' a 'itch! [_In
difficulties with his overcoat._] When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th'
lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f some refreshmen'----
SOME OF THE OTHERS.
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
GABRIELLE.
[_Coming to LILY and kissing her._] So long, dear.
[_ENID, DAPHNE, and JIMMIE also come to LILY, who embraces them
demonstratively, and the men follow._
LILY.
[_To the girls._] Ta-ta; ta-ta; ta-ta! I won't come down.
ENID.
No, no; we'll let ourselves out. [_Leaving LILY._] Till to-night!
LILY.
Till to-night! [_Shaking hands with the men._] Ta-ta; ta-ta; ta-ta!
THE MEN.
Ta-ta! Ta-ta! Ta-ta!
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Kissing her hand slyly._] Goddess!
LILY.
[_To BLAND, in a whisper._] Take care of Bertie. [_Everybody moves to
the door, except LILY who remains standing in the middle of the room.
Some are on the landing, some in the doorway, when she calls to ROPER
and JIMMIE._] Uncle Lal! Jimmie! I want to speak to you two for a
second. [_ROPER and JIMMIE detach themselves from the rest and
return._] Oh-- and Lord Farncombe! [_FARNCOMBE also returns and LILY,
passing him, goes on to the landing and mixes with the others._] Be
off; Lord Farncombe and Lal will look after Jimmie. Vincent, _you_
close the front-door. No noise! Au revoir, mes enfants! [_She watches
them descend the stairs and, her manner softening, comes back into the
room._] Lord Farncombe wants to have a quiet talk with me, Uncle Lal--
about-- about something, and he's asked me to let him remain behind
with Jimmie for a few minutes. [_To JIMMIE._] But there's no necessity
for you to wait, dear.
JIMMIE.
Don't consider me.
LILY.
But I do. Go upstairs and tell mother that Lord Farncombe's with me.
Say I promise he shan't stay long. [_To ROPER._] You'll take Jimmie
home, won't you, Lal?
ROPER.
[_His eyes bolting._] W-w-with pleasure.
LILY.
[_To JIMMIE._] I shall see you again later in the day, perhaps?
JIMMIE.
Rather! [_Throwing her arms round LILY'S neck and pressing her cheek
to LILY'S._] Rather! [_To ROPER, significantly._] Sit in the hall till
I'm ready.
[_She runs out on to the landing, pausing at the door to bestow a
parting nod and a smile upon FARNCOMBE, and ascends the stairs._
ROPER.
[_In a state of great excitement and exhilaration-- to LILY._] Yes,
yes, I won't keep you and-- [_winking at her and jerking his head in
FARNCOMBE'S direction_] from your _tête-à-tête_. [_Patting her face
gleefully._] Ha, ha, ha, ha! [_Taking her hand, his own quivering._]
Lil, Uncle Lal you call me, but I've always felt more like a parent
towards you-- acted as such, hey?
LILY.
Y-y-yes, Lal.
ROPER.
And any happiness that befalls you-- any happiness that befalls you--
[_choking_] I'll leave it there. God bless yer; God bless yer!
[_bustling over to FARNCOMBE who, his hat in his hand, his overcoat on
his arm, is standing near the piano_] and God bless _you_, my lad!
[_incoherently_] I'm proud-- proud to have the honour-- and to have
been the means of-- the means of-- [_wringing FARNCOMBE'S hand_] God
bless you both! [_He goes to the door and there finds LILY._] I-- I--
I-- I'll drop in by-and-by and-- and-- and inquire after you, my pet.
LILY.
[_Faintly._] All right, Lal.
ROPER.
[_Patting her face again._] Ha, ha, ha, ha! [_With a hop._] Wurrr-roo!
Stand away from the lift; no more passengers this journey!
[_He waves to FARNCOMBE gaily and departs, closing the door. There is
a short silence and then FARNCOMBE places his hat and overcoat upon
the chair by the piano and turns to LILY._
FARNCOMBE.
[_In a low voice._] It's awfully kind and gracious of you to have
granted my request, and frightfully selfish of me to have made it.
I deserve to be kicked.
LILY.
[_Slowly advancing to the table in the centre-- avoiding his gaze._]
Is-- is Jimmie aware of precisely what's in your note?
FARNCOMBE.
Y-y-yes. [_Drawing nearer to her._] I hope you won't be angry with me
for confiding in her. You see, I-- I----
LILY.
[_At the further side of the table, fingering one of the objects upon
it._] And _she'll_ confide in Uncle Lal. [_Shrugging her shoulders._]
Oh, but dear old Lal appears to have summed up the situation pretty
accurately as it is. [_With an artificial little laugh._] Ha, ha, ha!
Well, I'm afraid they'll be horribly disappointed, poor wretches.
FARNCOMBE.
[_Blankly._] Disap-pointed?
LILY.
[_Raising her eyes to his and shaking her head at him._] You-- you
silly boy!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Coming to her quickly._] Ah, please-- please don't take that tone
with me. I'm no boy. And I'm simply mad about you. If you don't marry
me, I-- I-- I'm done for.
LILY.
H'sh! Nonsense; not you!
FARNCOMBE.
It's true. Life'll be over for me from that moment, if you refuse to
marry me.
LILY.
[_Mockingly._] Over!
FARNCOMBE.
Oh, love is all on my side at present, naturally; but, as God hears
me, it'll be no fault of mine if you don't grow to love me in time.
LILY.
Listen----!
FARNCOMBE.
I'll worship you-- worship you. I _do_ worship you!
LILY.
H'sh! Lord Farncombe----
FARNCOMBE.
_Eddie!_ Won't you?
LILY.
Certainly not.
FARNCOMBE.
Do! Eddie! Eddie!
LILY.
Eddie, then----
FARNCOMBE.
Ah----!
LILY.
Sit down a minute. [_She goes to the settee and sits there, somewhat
ruffled, and he moves to the arm-chair by the centre table and also
sits, his elbows on his knees, bending towards her. She pushes her
hair back from her brow impatiently, as if vexed with herself._] Lord
Farncombe-- Eddie-- for how long have you known me?
FARNCOMBE.
What does it matter? I-- I admit----
LILY.
Reckoning our acquaintance from last week-- from the afternoon Bertie
brought you here, when we scarcely spoke to one another-- you haven't
known me for as many days as you can count on your fingers.
FARNCOMBE.
I've watched you-- watched you in the theatre----
LILY.
On the stage! Ho, ho! Oh, you-- but I mustn't call you silly boy
again, must I! And what do you know _of_ me, apart from the glimpse
you've had of me off the stage, and my being a shining light at the
Pandora? What do you know of my-- what's the word?-- origin-- where
and what I've sprung from; how I was reared; how much education I've
received; how much I've contrived to pick up of the way to behave in
_per_lite society? You can judge from poor mother, if from nothing
else, that I come from humble beginnings. Yes, but _how_ humble you
couldn't _dream_, [_making a grimace_] not after a supper of raw
carrots!
FARNCOMBE.
Do you think I _care_ how humble your beginnings were! What I do
know-- what I _am_ sure about-- is that you're good-- and beautiful--
and-- and-- and gifted-- and-- and-- [_leaning his head on his hands_]
oh, I can't describe you; you're-- you're-- to me, you're _perfect_.
LILY.
[_After a pause, looking at him with blinking eyelids._] You-- you
_dear_! [_He raises his head. She changes her tone instantly._]
_Merci_; yes, perfect, _pour le moment_. Hear my French! [_Taking the
box of cigarettes from the table._] Have a cigarette? Don't get up.
[_She tosses him a cigarette and he catches it._] My name's printed on
them-- "Lily." [_Lighting a cigarette._] Isn't it _chic_!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Producing his cigarette case and exchanging her cigarette for one of
his own._] I'll never smoke _that_.
LILY.
[_Pushing the match-stand towards him._] _Stoo_pid! Now, attend to me.
What do you say to a tiny provision shop in Kennington, over the
water?
FARNCOMBE.
Was that----?
LILY.
[_Nodding._] H'm; that was my start in the world. Father kept a small
shop in Kennington-- Gladwin Street, near the Oval. We sold groceries,
and butter and eggs and cheese, and pickled-pork and paraffin. I was
born there-- on the second floor; and in Gladwin Street I lived till I
was fourteen. Then father smashed, through the Stores cutting into our
little trade. Well, hardly smashed; that's too imposing. The business
just faded, and one morning we didn't bother to take the shutters
down. Then, after a while, father got a starvation berth-- eighteen
shillings a week!-- at a wholesale bacon warehouse-- Price and
Moseley's-- still over the water; and I earned an extra five at a
place in the Westminster Bridge Road, for pasting the gilt edges on to
passe-partouts from nine a.m. till six in the evening.
FARNCOMBE.
[_His head bowed again._] Great heavens!
LILY.
Not a syllable against the passe-partouts! They were the making of me.
It was the passe-partouts that brought me and Tedder together.
FARNCOMBE.
Who?
LILY.
Tedder. In the house where I worked, a man of the name of Tedder--
Ambrose Tedder-- taught dancing-- stage dancing-- "Tedder's Academy of
Saltatory Art"-- and every time I passed Tedder's door, and heard his
violin or piano, and the sound of the pupils' feet, I--! [_Breaking
off and throwing herself back._] Oh, lor', if once I----!
FARNCOMBE.
Go on; go on.
LILY.
Well, ultimately Tedder took me and trained me-- did it for nix-- for
what he hoped to get out of me in the future. Ah, and he _hasn't_ lost
over me-- poor old Ambrose! He collared a third of my salary for ever
so long; and now that the old chap's rheumaticky and worn out, I-- oh,
it's not worth mentioning. [_Jumping up and walking away._] My stars,
he could teach, could Tedder! I began by going to him for the last
twenty minutes of my dinner-hour. He wanted to stop _that_, because it
was bad for me, he said, to practise on a full-- a full--! Ha, ha, ha!
On a _full_--! [_Behind the table, resting her two hands upon it and
shaking with laughter._] Ho, ho, ho! As if I ever had-- in those
days----!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Writhing._] Ah, don't-- don't----!
LILY.
[_Brushing the tears from her eyes._] I was a pupil of Tedder's for
twelve months, and then he got me on at the Canterbury; and from the
Canterbury I went to Gatti's, and from Gatti's to the Lane, for a few
lines in the pantomime and an understudy-- my first appearance in the
West End-- [_singing_] "Oh, the West End is the best end!"-- and from
there I went to the old Strand, and there Morrie Cooling spotted me,
and that led to me being engaged at the Pandora, where I ate my heart
out, doing next to nothing, for two whole years. Then came the
production of _The Duchess of Brixton_, and it was in _The Duchess_--
thanks to Vincent Bland-- that I sang the "Mind the Paint" song. He
believed in me, did Vincent; _he_ saw I was fit for something more
than just prancing about, and airing my ankles, in a gay frock. By
Jupiter, how he fought for me; _how_ he fought for me, up to the final
rehearsal! And to this day, whenever I indulge in a prayer, you bet
Vincent Bland has a paragraph all to himself in it! [_Checking herself
and coming to FARNCOMBE._] Oh, but-- I needn't inflict quite so much
of my biography on you, need I? [_He rises._] Sorry. I merely wanted
to tell you enough to show you-- to show you----
FARNCOMBE.
[_Close to her, gazing into her eyes._] To show me what a-- what a
_marvel_ you are!
LILY.
[_Pleased._] Ha, ha! Oh, I'm not chucking mud at myself really. Why
should I! Many a woman 'ud feel as vain as a peacock in my shoes.
Fancy! From the shop in Gladwin Street to-- [_with a gesture_] to
_this_! And from Tedder's stuffy room in the Westminster Bridge Road
to the stage of the Pandora, as principal girl!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Tenderly._] Wonderful!
LILY.
[_Carried away by her narration and putting her hands upon his
shoulders familiarly._] Yes, and all the schooling I've ever had,
Eddie, was at a cheap, frowsy day-school in Kennington, with a tribe
of other common, skinny-legged brats. Imagine it!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Taking her hands._] I can't imagine it; I defy anybody to.
LILY.