MRS. H. It really _was_.
CAPT. G. Anything about it, I mean.
MRS. H. What has upset you to-day? All these days? You haven't been near
me for four whole days--nearly one hundred hours. Was it _kind_ of you,
Pip? And I've been looking forward so much to your coming.
CAPT. G. Have you?
MRS. H. You _know_ I have! I've been as foolish as a schoolgirl about
it. I made a little calendar and put it in my card-case, and every time
the twelve o'clock gun went off I scratched out a square and said: 'That
brings me nearer to Pip. _My_ Pip!'
CAPT. G. (_With an uneasy laugh_.) What will Mackler think if you
neglect him so?
MRS. H. And it hasn't brought you nearer. You seem farther away than
ever. Are you sulking about something? I know your temper.
CAPT. G. No.
MRS. H. Have I grown old in the last few months, then? (_Reaches forward
to bank of flowers for menu-card_.)
MRS. H. (_To partner_.) Oh, thanks. I didn't see.
MRS. H. _Keeps her arm at full stretch for three seconds_.
PARTNER ON LEFT. Allow me. (_Hands menu-card_.) (_Turns right again_.)
Is anything in me changed at all?
CAPT. G. For Goodness' sake go on with your dinner! You must eat
something. Try one of those cutlet arrangements. (_Aside_.) And I
fancied she had good shoulders, once upon a time! What an ass a man can
make of himself!
MRS. H. (_Helping herself to a paper frill, seven peas, some stamped
carrots and a spoonful of gravy_.) That isn't an answer. Tell me whether
I have done anything.
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.) If it isn't ended here there will be a ghastly scene
somewhere else. If only I'd written to her and stood the racket--at long
range! (_To Khitmatgar_.) _Han! Simpkin do._ (_Aloud_.) I'll tell you
later on.
MRS. H. Tell me _now_. It must be some foolish misunderstanding, and you
know that there was to be nothing of that sort between us. _We_, of all
people in the world, can't afford it. Is it the Vaynor man, and don't
you like to say so? On my honour--
CAPT. G. I haven't given the Vaynor man a thought.
MRS. H. But how d'you know that _I_ haven't?
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.) Here's my chance and may the Devil help me through
with it. (_Aloud and measuredly_.) Believe me, I do not care how often
or how tenderly you think of the Vaynor man.
MRS. H. I wonder if you mean that.--Oh, what _is_ the good of squabbling
and pretending to misunderstand when you are only up for so short a
time? Pip, don't be a stupid!
_Follows a pause, during which he crosses his left leg over his right
and continues his dinner_.
CAPT. G. (_In answer to the thunderstorm in her eyes_.) Corns--my worst.
MRS. H. Upon my word, you are the very rudest man in the world! I'll
_never_ do it again.
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.) No, I don't think you will; but I wonder what you
will do before it's all over. (_To Khitmatgar_.) _Thorah ur Simpkin do_.
MRS. H. Well! Haven't you the grace to apologise, bad man?
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.) I mustn't let it drift back _now_. Trust a woman for
being as blind as a bat when she won't see.
MRS. H. I'm waiting: or would you like me to dictate a form of apology?
CAPT. G. (_Desperately_.) By all means dictate.
MRS. H. (_Lightly_.) Very well. Rehearse your several Christian names
after me and go on: 'Profess my sincere repentance.'