Barlow (interrupting). It was a good deal of a crush, though. As
Mrs. Van Darling said to me, "You always meet--"
Yardsley. It's a pity Perkins isn't more of a society man, though,
don't you think?
Dorothy. O, I don't know. I've always found him very pleasant. He
is so sincere.
Barlow. Isn't he, though? He looked bored to death all through the
dance.
Yardsley. I thought so too. I was watching him while you were
talking to him, Barlow, and such a look of ennui I never saw on a
man's face.
Barlow. Humph!
Dorothy. Are you going to Mrs. Van Darling's dinner?
Barlow. Yes; I received my bid last night. You?
Dorothy. Oh yes!
Yardsley (gloomily). I can't go very well. I'm--ah--engaged for
Tuesday.
Barlow. Well, I hope you've let Mrs. Van Darling know. She's a
stickler for promptness in accepting or declining her invitations.
If you haven't, I'll tell her for you. I'm to see her to-night.
Yardsley. Oh no! Never mind. I'll--I'll attend to it.
Barlow. Oh, of course. But it's just as well she should know in
advance. You might forget it, you know. I'll tell her; it's no
trouble to me.
Dorothy. Of course not, and she can get some one to take your place.
Yardsley (desperately). Oh, don't say anything about it. Fact is,
she--ah--she hasn't invited me.
Barlow. Ah! (Aside.) I knew that all along. Oh, but I'm clever!
Dorothy (hastily, to relieve Yardsley's embarrassment). Have you
seen Irving, Mr. Yardsley?
Yardsley. Yes.
Barlow (suspiciously). What in? I haven't seen you at any of the
first nights.
Yardsley (with a grin). In the grill-room at the Players.
Barlow (aside). Bah!
Dorothy (laughing). You are so bright, Mr. Yardsley.
Barlow (forcing a laugh). Ha, ha, ha! Why, yes--very clever that.
It ought to have a Gibson picture over it, that joke. It would help
it. Those Gibson pictures are fine, I think. Carry any kind of
joke, eh?
Yardsley. Yes, they frequently do.
Dorothy. I'm so glad you both like Gibson, for I just dote on him.
I have one of his originals in my portfolio. I'll get it if you'd
like to see it.
[She rises and goes to the corner of the room, where there stands a
portfolio-case.
Yardsley (aside). What a bore Barlow is! Hang him! I must get rid
of him somehow.
[Barlow meanwhile is assisting Dorothy.
Yardsley (looking around at the others). Jove! he's off in the
corner with her. Can't allow that, for the fact is Barlow's just a
bit dangerous--to me.