[_Tom admits Colpoys, who carries a mean-looking "part," and a letter._]
[_After formally bowing to the ladies._] Oh, Gadd, Mr. Burroughs
instructs me to offer you this part in the pantomime. [_Handing the part
to Gadd._] Demon of Discontent.
[_Gadd takes the part and flings it to the ground; Avonia picks it up
and reads it._]
_Colpoys._
You refuse it?
_Gadd._
I do. [_With dignity._] Acquaint Mr. Burroughs with my decision, and
add that I hope his pantomime will prove an utterly mirthless one. May
Boxing-night, to those unfortunate enough to find themselves in the
theatre, long remain a dismal memory; and may succeeding audiences,
scanty and dissatisfied----! [_Colpoys presents Gadd with the letter.
Gadd opens it and reads._] I leave. [_Sitting._] The Romeo, the Orlando,
the Clifford--leaves!
_Avonia._
[_Coming to Gadd, indicating some lines in the part._] Ferdy, this aint
so bad. [_Reading._]=
```"I'm Discontent! from Orkney's isle to Dover
```To make men's bile bile-over I endover-"=
_Gadd._
'Vonia! [_Taking the part from Avonia, with mingled surprise and
pleasure._] Ho, ho! no, that's not bad. [_Reading._]=
```Tempers, though sweet, I whip up to a lather,
```Make wives hate husbands, sons wish fathers farther."=
'Vonia, there's is something to lay hold of here! I'll think this over.
[_Rising, addressing Colpoys._] Gus, I have thought this over. I play
it.
[_They all gather round him, and congratulate him. Avonia embraces and
kisses him._]
_Tom. and Colpoys._
That's right!
_Rose._
I'm very pleased, Ferdinand.
_Avonia._
[_Tearfully._] Oh, Ferdy!
_Gadd._
[_In high spirits._] Egad, I play it! Gus, I'll stroll back with you to
the "Wells." [_Shaking hands with Rose._] Miss Trelawny-------! [_Avonia
accompanies Colpoys and Gadd to the door, clinging to Gadd, who is
flourishing the part._] 'Vonia, I see myself in this! [_Kissing her._]
Steak for dinner!
[_Gadd and Colpoys go out. Tom shrieks with laughter._]
_Avonia._
[_Turning upon him, angrily and volubly._]Yes, I heard you with Colpoys
outside that door, if Gadd didn't. It's a pity, Mr. Wrench, you can't
find something better to do----!
_Rose._
[_Pacifically._] Hush, hush, 'Vonia! Tom, assist me with my basket; I'll
give 'Vonia her belt----
[_Tom and Rose go behind the curtains and presently emerge, carrying the
dress-basket, which they deposit._]
_Avonia._
[_Flouncing across the room._] Making fun of Gadd! an artist to the
roots of his hair! There's more talent in Gadd's little finger----!
_Rose._
[_Rummaging among the contents of the basket_] 'Vonia, 'Vonia!
_Avonia._
And if Gadd is to play a demon in the pantomime, what do _you_ figure
as, Tom Wrench, among the half a dozen other things? Why, as part of a
dragon! Yes, and _which end_---?
_Rose._
[_Quietly to Tom._] Apologize to 'Vonia at once, Tom.
_Tom._
[_Meekly._] Mrs. Gadd, I beg your pardon.
_Avonia._
[_Coming to him and kissing him._] Granted, Tom; but you should be a
little more considerate----
_Rose._
[_Holding up the belt._] Here----!
_Avonia._
[_Taking the belt, ecstatically._] Oh, isn't it lovely! Rose, you dear!
you sweet thing! [_Singing a few bars of the Jewel song from Faust, then
rushing at Rose and embracing her._] I'm going to try my dress on, to
show Mrs. Burroughs. Come and help me into it. I'll unlock my door on my
side----
[_Tom politely opens the door for her to pass out._] Thank you,
Tom--[_kissing him again_] only you should be more considerate toward
Gadd----
[_She disappears._]
_Tom._
[_Calling after her._] I will be; I will--[_Shutting the door._] Ha, ha,
ha!
_Rose._
[_Smiling._] Hush! poor 'Vonia! [_Mending the fire._] Excuse me,
Tom--have you a fire upstairs, in your room, to-day?
_Tom._
Er--n--not to-day--it's Saturday. I never have a fire on a Saturday.
_Rose._
[_Coming to him._] Why not?
_Tom._
[_Looking away from her._] Don't know--creatures of habit---
_Rose._
[_Gently touching his coat-sleeve._] Because if you would like to smoke
your pipe by my fire while I'm with 'Vonia----
[_The key is heard to turn in the lock of the center door._]
_Avonia._
[_From the next room._] It's unlocked.
_Rose._
I'm coming.
[_She unbolts the door on her side, and goes into Avonia's room,
shutting the door behind her. The lid of the dress-basket is open,
showing the contents; a pair of little satin shoes lie at the top. Tom
takes up one of the shoes and presses it to his lips. There is a knock
at the door. He returns the shoe to the basket, closes the lid, and
walks away._]
_Tom._
Yes?
[_The door opens slightly and Imogen is heard._]
_Imogen._
[_Outside._] Is that you, Wrench?
_Tom._
Hullo!
[_Imogen, in out-of-door costume, enters breathlessly._]
_Imogen._
[_Closing the door--speaking rapidly and excitedly._] Mossop said you
were in Rose's room----
_Tom._
[_Shaking hands with her._] She'll be here in a few minutes.
_Imogen._
It's you I want. Let me sit down.
_Tom._
[_Going to the armchair._] Here----
_Imogen._
[_Sitting on the right of the table, panting._] Not near the fire----
_Tom._
What's up?
_Imogen._
Oh, Wrench! p'r'aps my fortune's made!
_Tom._
[_Quite calmly._] Congratulate you, Jenny.
_Imogen._
Do be quiet; don't make such a racket. You see, things haven't been
going at all satisfactorily at the Olympic lately. There's Miss
Puddifant----
_Tom._