The Silver Shield Part 21

d.i.c.k. What's strange? (_sits on sofa_)

NED. That she has chosen this house of all others.

d.i.c.k. It's a theatrical place. I recommended it to Blake--Jackson recommended it to Carlton. What is there strange about that?

NED. Nothing, when it's explained; but it did seem a curious coincidence.

d.i.c.k. Call that a coincidence? You should have seen my last comedy.

Sparkle's the man for coincidences.

NED. Have you been up to see her?

d.i.c.k. Just come down. Engagement signed this morning. Splendid terms!

NED. For Miss Carlton?

d.i.c.k. For Carlton? No--for me.

NED. What's she like?

d.i.c.k. Very pretty girl--rather washed out, but she'll be all right at night. Fancy I've seen her face before somewhere; but then, I see so many faces--soon forget 'em. Good thing, too; great blessing to forget some faces. (_rises; takes hat_) Well, I can't wait all day. Tell Blake I couldn't stop. You bring the part on to the theatre. (_going off, L.C.; stops; puts on hat_)

NED. All right.

d.i.c.k. On second thoughts--(_coming down; chuckles_)--tell her to send it to the girl upstairs. That'll take it out of her. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

She thought she'd get a rise out of _me;_ but I've taken a rise out of _her._ (_Exit, L.C._)

NED. (_sits R. of table_) Another disappointment. I write a part for Alma to create, and it's to be murdered by an amateur! What does it matter? Pshaw! I hate the play! But for it Lucy wouldn't have left me.

If it should be a big success, she isn't here to share it.

_Re-enter ALMA, R., with part._

ALMA. (_crosses to sofa_) Here's the part. (_looks round_) What's become of d.i.c.k?

NED. Mr. d.i.c.k said he couldn't wait all day. You are to send the part to your successor, Miss Ruth Carlton.

ALMA. (_sits on sofa_) I send the part? Does he imagine I'm the Parcels Post!

NED. You won't have to send it far. Miss Carlton's living in this very house.

ALMA. Which floor?

NED. The attic.

ALMA. (_rises; crosses to NED_) That child play my part?

NED. (_rises_) You've seen her?

ALMA. No; I heard all about her from the landlady. She's been here a week, and never left her room. I'd half a mind to ask her down here for a change of scene, but I shan't now. (_crosses to L._)

NED. (_crosses to ALMA_) Shall I take the part up to her?

ALMA. Let her come down and fetch it.

NED. You said she shouldn't.

ALMA. But I say she shall.

NED. You've changed your mind very quickly.

ALMA. It's my own mind; I can do what I like with it, I suppose. I'm not the only changeable person in the world. I know an author who once said he'd written a part specially for me, that I was the only person who _could_ play it, and that I was the only person who should play it; because he thought I was the only person who _would_ play it: and now he's found another woman, it's all off. He wants to take the part out of my hands and put it into hers; and a nice mess she'll make of it, and I hope she will. (_goes round sofa, and up to back_)

NED. (_crosses to L.C._) How do you know she can't play the part?

ALMA. (_following NED, L._) Because there's only one woman on the stage who can--and that's me. That's how I know it; and when your piece is d.a.m.ned, and they shy bricks at you, you'll know it too. Here, take your part, and take your play, and take your hat, and take your stick, and get out of my room. (_thrusting the things on him_)

NED. (_going up_) I'll take it to Miss Carlton.

ALMA. (_stopping him; s.n.a.t.c.hes part back; removes his hat and stick, and b.u.mps him down on sofa_) No, you won't. I tell you she can't play it! What's more, she _shan't_ play it. (_tucking it under her arm, and taking stage R._) This part was written for Miss Alma Blake, and no one but Miss Alma Blake shall touch it! (_crosses R._)

NED. (_rising; crosses to ALMA, overjoyed_) You've changed your mind again.

ALMA. That's only twice. I've changed it twenty times in less time before now--(_crosses to NED_)--and I shall change it fifty if I like!

Why shouldn't I change my mind? If you had such a nasty, horrid, cantankerous mind as I've had for the last five minutes, shouldn't you be precious _glad_ to change it?

NED. I'm only too delighted.

ALMA. So am I.

NED. Alma!

ALMA. It's "Alma" now!

NED. Yes--the old Alma!

ALMA. I'm not middle-aged. You'll make me out a grandmother directly, and say Miss Carlton is my granddaughter. Miss Carlton! Who's Miss Carlton?

NED. Here, keep the part and never mind Miss Carlton. I'll tell d.i.c.k----

ALMA. No! Stop! Not a word! Now, don't you interfere between me and my manager. I shall turn up at rehearsal just as usual.

NED. But d.i.c.k----

ALMA. Bother d.i.c.k!

NED. All right, bother him; he's bothered _me_ enough! But how are you to get over your notice?

ALMA. Ignore it altogether--say nothing about it.