_Tom._
And that--did it?
_Rose._
[_Smiling at him._] That did it.
_Avonia._
[_Kneeling beside her, and embracing her tearfully._] My ducky! oh, but
there are other theatres besides the "Wells"-----
_Rose._
For me? only where the same trash is acted.
_Avonia._
[_With a sob._] But a few months ago you l--l--liked your work.
_Rose._
Yes [_dreamily_], and then I went to Cavendish
Square, engaged to Arthur----[_Tom rises and leans upon the
mantelpiece, looking into the fire._] How badly I behaved in Cavendish
Square! how unlike a young lady! What if the old folks were overbearing
and tyrannical, Arthur could be gentle with them. "They have not many
more years in this world," he said--dear boy!--"and anything we can do
to make them happy----" And what _did_ I do? _There_ was a chance for
me--to be patient, and womanly; and I proved to them that I was nothing
but--an actress.
_Avonia._
[_Rising, hurt but still tearful._] It doesn't follow, because one is
a---
_Rose._
[_Rising._] Yes, 'Vonia, it does! We are only dolls, partly human,
with mechanical limbs that _will_ fall into stagey postures, and heads
stuffed with sayings out of rubbishy plays. It isn't the world we live
in, merely _a_ world--such a queer little one! I was less than a month
in Cavendish Square, and very few people came there; but they were
_real_ people--_real!_ For a month I lost the smell of gas and oranges,
and the hurry and noise, and the dirt and the slang, and the clownish
joking, at the "Wells." I didn't realize at the time the change that
was going on in me; I didn't realize it till I came back. And then, by
degrees, I discovered what had happened----
[_Tom is now near her. She takes his hand and drops her head upon
Avonia's shoulder. Wearily._]
Oh, Tom! oh, 'Vonia------[_From the next room comes the sound of the
throwing about of heavy objects, and of Gadd's voice uttering loud
imprecations. Alarmed._] Oh----!
_Avonia._
[_Listening attentively._] Sounds like Ferdy. [_She goes to the center
door. At the keyhole._] Ferdy! aint you well, darling?
_Gadd._
[_On the other side of the door._]Avonia!
_Avonia._
I'm in Miss Trelawny's room.
_Gadd._
Ah!
_Avonia._
[_To Rose and Tom._] Now, what's put Ferdy out? [_Gadd enters with a
wild look._] Ferdinand!
_Tom._
Anything wrong, Gadd?
_Gadd._
Wrong! wrong! [_Sitting._] What d'ye think?
_Avonia._
Tell us!
_Gadd._