The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_His jaw falling._] You wouldn't?
FRAYNE.
No.
QUEX.
Phew! _I_ should. [_Warmly._] By Jove, I should!
FRAYNE.
I have conceived a great aversion to her--a long, scraggy gal.
QUEX.
[_With enthusiasm._] As full of courage as a thoroughbred!
FRAYNE.
[_Closing his eyes._] I can picture her elbows; sharp, pointed elbows--the barbed fence of the spiteful woman.
QUEX.
Pooh! yesterday she was alluring.
FRAYNE.
[_Rising painfully._] Yesterday--! [_Gravely._] Harry, do you know there are moments when I feel that I am changing towards the s.e.x; when I fancy I can discern the skeleton, as it were, through the rounded cheek?
QUEX.
You!
FRAYNE.
Yes, this novel sentiment is undoubtedly gaining possession of your old friend--gradually, perhaps, but surely.
QUEX.
[_Regarding him searchingly._] Excuse me, Chick--did you turn into the Beefsteak when you got back from Richmond last night?
FRAYNE.
For an hour. Oh, a great mistake.
QUEX.
What, a little whisky on the top of champagne?
FRAYNE.
[_Gazing pathetically at_ QUEX _with watery eyes._] A good deal of champagne underneath a lot of whisky.
[_The door-gong sounds._
QUEX.
Who's this? [_He walks to the entrance, and looks into the further room._] The Fullgarney.
[_He returns to his former position, as_ SOPHY _enters quickly followed by_ MISS CLARIDGE, MISS MOON, _and_ MISS HUDDLE. SOPHY--_dressed as at the end of the First Act--is pale, red-eyed, and generally unstrung. She comes to_ QUEX, _disconcerted by his presence._
SOPHY.
[_Confronting him._] Oh, good morning.
QUEX.
May I beg a few moments--?
SOPHY.
Er--certainly. I'll just take off my things--
[_He joins_ FRAYNE. _She goes across the room where she is surrounded by her girls._
MISS CLARIDGE.
Oh, Miss Fullgarney, how ill you look!
MISS MOON.
You do seem queer!
MISS HUDDLE.
Just as if you were sickening for something.
MISS LIMBIRD.
[_Coming between_ MISS CLARIDGE _and_ SOPHY.] Quite ghostly!
SOPHY.
I'm all right, girls; I've had a bad night, that's all. [_Giving her umbrella to_ MISS CLARIDGE _and her bag to_ MISS MOON, _who pa.s.ses it to_ MISS HUDDLE.] Here! hi! take that beastly bag. [_To_ MISS LIMBIRD, _who is removing her hat._] Oh, don't waggle my head, whatever you do!
[_To_ MISS MOON, _who is pulling at her jacket._] Tear the thing off.
[_Stripping off her gloves, and speaking in a whisper._] Girls, I don't want to be disturbed for five minutes.
MISS LIMBIRD.
