The Big Drum - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Shaking hands with_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye. You _might_ come on to Olympia; my sister-in-law's box holds six.
OTTOLINE.
Sorry. I really am full up this afternoon. [MRS. QUEBEC _comes to_ OTTOLINE _as_ MRS. ANSLOW _goes to_ PHILIP. ROOPE _opens the door on the left and remains there, waiting to escort the ladies to the outer door._] Can I give you a lift anywhere, Esme?
MRS. QUEBEC.
Thanks; Millicent's taking me along with her to the Horse Show.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP.] Very pleased to meet you again. Ever see anything now of the Fairfields?
PHILIP.
Never.
MRS. ANSLOW.
No loss. I believe dear old Eustace is off his head.
PHILIP.
Possibly.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Tolerantly._] But then, so many people are off their heads, aren't they?
PHILIP.
A great many.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Bestowing a parting nod upon_ PHILIP _and crossing to the open door._] Sha'n't wait, Esme. It's a month's journey to Hammersmith in the ark.
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_Kissing_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_To_ ROOPE.] Charming lunch. Enjoyed myself enormously.
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP _hastily._] Good-bye, Mr. Mackworth.
PHILIP.
Good-bye.
[ROOPE _and_ MRS. ANSLOW _have disappeared;_ MRS. QUEBEC _follows them._ OTTOLINE _approaches_ PHILIP _slowly._
OTTOLINE.
[_Giving him her hand._] Good-bye.
PHILIP.
[_Bending over it formally._] Good-bye.
OTTOLINE.
We--we're in Ennismore Gardens, you know. [_He acknowledges the information by a stiff bow. She interests herself in her glove-b.u.t.tons._]
You--you've chosen to drop out of my--out of our lives so completely that I hardly like to ask you to come and see us.
PHILIP.
[_Constrainedly._] You are very good; but I--I don't go about much in these days, and I'm afraid----
OTTOLINE.
[_Quickly._] Oh, I'm sure you're wise. [_Drawing herself erect._] A writer shouldn't give up to society what is meant for mankind, should he?
[_She pa.s.ses him distantly, to leave the room, and he suddenly grips her shoulder._
PHILIP.
Ottoline----!
[_By a mutual impulse, they glance swiftly at the open door, and then she throws herself into his arms._
OTTOLINE.
Philip----!
[_Just as swiftly, they separate; and a moment afterwards_ ROOPE _returns, rubbing his hands cheerily._
ROOPE.
[_Advancing, but not shutting the door._] There! Now we're by ourselves! [_To_ OTTOLINE.] You're not running away?
OTTOLINE.
