Only why should it be with pain at all,
Why must I 'twixt the leaves of coronal
Put any kiss of pardon on thy brow?
Why should the other women know so much,
And talk together:--Such the look and such
The smile he used to love with, then as now.
_Any Wife to any Husband_.
SCENE.-_A Naini Tal dinner for thirty-four. Plate, wines, crockery, and
khitmatgars carefully calculated to scale of Rs. 6000 per mensem, less
Exchange. Table split lengthways by bank of flowers._
MRS. HERRIOTT. (_After conversation has risen to proper pitch._) Ah!
'Didn't see you in the crush in the drawing-room. (_Sotto voce._) Where
_have_ you been all this while, Pip?
CAPTAIN GADSBY. (_Turning from regularly ordained dinner partner and
settling hock glasses._) Good evening. (_Sotto voce._) Not quite so loud
another time. You've no notion how your voice carries. (_Aside._) So
much for shirking the written explanation. It'll have to be a verbal
one now. Sweet prospect! How on earth am I to tell her that I am a
respectable, engaged member of society and it's all over between us?
MRS. H. I've a heavy score against you. Where were you at the Monday
Pop? Where were you on Tuesday? Where were you at the Lamonts' tennis? I
was looking everywhere.
CAPT. G. For me! Oh, I was alive somewhere, I suppose. (_Aside_.) It's
for Minnie's sake, but it's going to be dashed unpleasant.
MRS. H. Have I done anything to offend you? I never meant it if I have.
I couldn't help going for a ride with the Vaynor man. It was promised a
week before you came up.