SHE. What?
HE. That I saw you jump in.
SHE. Oh!
HE. It was pleasant while it lasted, wasn't it? And romantic!
Why, romantic doesn't begin to describe it! (_Imitating_)
"Mother, kiss me!"
SHE. Oh, how can you?
HE. Unconscious--helpless--and you didn't remember! Not even the
shoes. That was clever--very clever! And the hands trying to pull
you down to the bottom: that was the touch of genius! (_He pauses
with a smile._) Ah, well, I was willing to have a little fun. (_A
man is heard whistling a popular song in the distance. He listens
attentively._)
SHE. (_After a pause_) You played with me--played with me. Oh,
you're disgusting! Revolting! What a thing for a _man_ to do! I
thought---- (_She breaks off._)
HE. (_Encouraging her to continue_) Yes?
SHE. Nothing. . . . (_Then, seeing no reason to restrain
herself._) I thought Lord Brookfield was a gentleman!
HE. Oh, but _I'm_ not.
SHE. Not a gentleman?
HE. No. . . . I'm not Lord Brookfield.
SHE. _Not_ Lord Brookfield?
HE. No.
SHE. Then who on earth are you?
HE. (_Sweetly_) I? I'm a friend of his.
SHE. A friend?
HE. A close friend--very close.
SHE. Who? Who?
HE. (_Leisurely_) I'm not related, you know, but I see a lot of
him. We're thick--very thick.
SHE. (_un patiently_) Who are you?
HE. (_Simply_) I'm his valet.
SHE. (_Horrified_) Oh! . . . And you kissed me! A valet! You
dared kiss me!
HE. At your request.
SHE. (_Almost choking with rage_) But a valet! A valet!
HE. I'm a good valet. One of the best there is.
SHE. Your insolence! Oh! (_She seizes the handkerchief which he
has left on the log, and wipes her mouth furiously._)
HE. My handkerchief.
SHE. (_Throwing it to the ground_) Oh, you coward! You. . . . You
(_She sits on the log, inarticulate with rage. The whistle is
heard again._)
HE. Listen to me.
SHE. I won't.
HE. (_Earnestly_) Listen to me.
SHE. I don't want to talk to you!
HE. I'll help you.
SHE. (_Rising_) I don't want your help.
HE. (_Bluntly_) Then you're silly.