The 'Mind the Paint' Girl - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_In a whisper._] Don't fill it in for more than you can help. _I'm_ not over flush.
[_He deliberately tears the cheque into four pieces and, looking at her steadily, puts them into his waistcoat-pocket._
BLAND.
[_As he does so._] I'll keep those, Lil, for as long as I keep anything.
LILY.
[_Hotly._] You fool, Vincent!
BLAND.
My dear, as if----!
LILY.
Such ridiculous pride! [_Stamping her foot._] Lord, what I owe to you!
[_GLADYS enters with SAM DE CASTRO. GLADYS is carrying a lace-edged table-cloth which, a.s.sisted by MRS. UPJOHN, she proceeds to lay upon the tea-table._
BLAND.
[_Moving away to join the others-- to DE CASTRO._] Ha, Sam!
DE CASTRO.
[_A stout, coa.r.s.e, but genial-looking gentleman of forty, of marked Jewish appearance, speaking with a lisp-- shaking hands with LILY._]
How are you to-day, Lil? Many happy returnth, wunth more.
LILY.
Thanks, dear old boy. [_Sitting on the settee in front of the writing-table._] Did I send you a wire this morning?
DE CASTRO.
Not you; not a thix-pen'north.
LILY.
I ought to have done so, to acknowledge your-- what was it?
DE CASTRO.
A ring-- diamondth and thapphires.
LILY.
Ah, yes; beautiful.
DE CASTRO.
It _ith_ rather a nithe ring. [_Lowering his voice._] But I thay.
LILY.
What?
DE CASTRO.
Mind you don't go and tell Gabth, on any account.
LILY.
[_With a great a.s.sumption of ignorance, raising her eyebrows._] Gabs?
DE CASTRO.
Gabrielle-- Mith Kato.
LILY.
Why shouldn't I?
DE CASTRO.
Nonsenth; _you_ know very well. [_Urgently._] You won't, will you?
LILY.
[_Shrugging her shoulders._] I won't if I remember not to.
DE CASTRO.
[_Alarmed._] Ah, now, don't be thtupid! Whath the good o' making mithchief! [_LILY shows him the tip of her tongue._] Oh, Lil! [_GLADYS goes out._] Lil----!
VON RETTENMAYER.
[_Leaving the group at the back and putting an arm round DE CASTRO'S shoulder._] My dear friend Zam!
DE CASTRO.
How are you, Baron? [_Going to MRS. UPJOHN._] Afthernoon, Ma!
[_Nodding to JIMMIE and ROPER._] Afthernoon, everybody! [_Shaking hands with JEYES, who has risen and now joins the group._] How are you, Nicko?
LILY.
[_Giving her hand to VON RETTENMAYER._] Excuse me for cutting you short when you came in. Thanks for your splendid present. I did send you a wire, didn't I?
