[_Goes._]
+Glove Young Man.+
[_After a slight pause._]
I never was more highly entertained!
Yet one may have too much of a good thing.
Then, too, there’s business to attend to. So
If this distinguished company would drop
A hint how long the game will last--
[_It grows dark. From both sides pictures in their frames steal
forth, only their backs being presented to the audience. They
stand in a semicircle opposite the_ +Young Man+. _He bows
jauntily._]
Why, how-de-do!... I trust you like my looks!
[_It grows constantly darker. Mutterings of thunder are heard
from time to time, mingled with the clash of swords._]
Will someone kindly press the button, call
A waiter?... Or if any gentleman
Will lend his hat and half a dozen eggs,
I’ll make an omelette!... No?... Look here,
Fair play! How long am I in for: for life?
[_Pictures bow assent._]
No commutation for exemplary
Behavior, eh?
[_Pictures shake themselves as if saying no._]
... I move that you adjourn!
[_Pictures signify no._]
Oh, very well!
[_He whistles. The sword-clash grows louder._]
I see! Life’s short but art is long! Is that
Your motto?
[_Pictures signify assent._]
You intend to kill me?
[_Pictures assent._]
So!
The ayes would seem to have it! Go ahead!
Once in a lifetime only can one die!
And as an angel I would sooner be
The real article than just a sham,
Old, tarnished, cracked, and canvas-back, like--
[_There is a terrible clash, while the pictures seem to close
about the_ +Young Man+. _Suddenly the_ +Woman at her Toilet+
_runs in from the right, shrieking._]
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Spare him! Spare him to me!
+Glove Young Man.+
Good gracious! Who
Is this enthusiastic but somewhat
Imperfectly attired young female! Miss,
Your name escapes me, but ... my business card!
+Woman at her Toilet.+
As hostage let him live, to me enchained!
Price of the masterwork a mortal’s love
This day destroyed! I ask it in the name
Of Titian and of Art!
+Unseen Pictures.+
So be it!
+Others.+
Amen!
[_The Pictures in evidence retreat._]
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Come!
[+Glove Young Man+ _descends from frame._]
+Glove Young Man.+
Kindest thanks for timely help! But--who--?
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Come forth into the world with me!
+Glove Young Man.+
Aren’t you
Afraid of taking cold?
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Not while the sun is shining, and with you!
+Glove Young Man.+
Sunshine is so uncertain. If you had
A rag of fringe, a lambrequin, a sash,
To patch you up a bit! And then your hair--
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Am I not beautiful the way I am?
+Glove Young Man.+
Too beautiful by half!
+Woman at her Toilet.+
One cannot have
Too much of beauty! So all artists say!
+Glove Young Man.+
But my dear Miss ... or Madam, is it? I
Am not an artist! Such a thing--tap wood!
Has never happened in our family!
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Your time has come! Not artist; work of art,
Like to myself, I’ll render you! Take off
Those hideous clothes!
+Glove Young Man.+
My goodness gracious me!
+Unseen Pictures.+
Do as she bids!
+Glove Young Man.+
How many and how much
Will satisfy the Louvre proprieties?
[_Reluctantly preparing to remove his coat._ +Laura+, _who has
wakened gradually, now sits up with a gasp._]
+Laura.+
Why, Charley Black! What would your mother say!
+Glove Young Man.+
If only it were mother!... Do you mind
Turning your back?
+Laura.+
How dare you!
+Glove Young Man.+
Oh, I dare
Do all that may become a work of art!
Who dares do more is none!
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Oh, bravely said,
And worthy of our School!
[_Cries of “Hear, hear!” from_ +Unseen Pictures+.]
+Laura.+
[_Noticing the_ +Woman+ _for the first time, advances on her._]
You scandalous
Young Masterpiece--or, rather, Mistresspiece!
Go right back to the frame where you belong!
+Woman at her Toilet.+
Never! Take you my place! With him I go,
When he is decently undressed!
+Glove Young Man.+
[_Ruefully._]
I’ll wreathe myself in smiles!
+Laura.+
You will, will you! Oh, Charley Black!
What shall I do!
[_Bursting into tears._]
+Young Man with a Glove.+
[_Suddenly appears at her side._]
Absorbed in yon dusk shades,
Emerge ... and not alone! in sunlit groves
In Italy!
+Laura.+
[_Shrieks._]
How dare you! Get right back
Into your frame! Charley, put on your coat
And come with me!
+Unseen Pictures.+
Do as he bids!
+Laura.+