The 'Mind the Paint' Girl - 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.
I-- I'm surprised she didn't mention it to you 'erself when you brought 'er 'ome last night.
JEYES.
Mention what?
MRS. UPJOHN.
They're givin' 'er a supper to-night at the theatre.
JEYES.
The theatre?
ROPER.
[_Advancing._] Yes, Carlton's standing a little spread in the foyer, in honour of the occasion. [_Sitting at the tea-table._] Quite right too; she's _his_ best a.s.set, and chance it.
JEYES.
When was it fixed up?
ROPER.
Late last night.
JEYES.
The fact is, Lily and I had a slight tiff coming home last night.
[_Sitting on the settee in front of the writing-table._] Ha! I suppose she kept it from me to pay me out. [_Sharply._] Who's invited?
ROPER.
Er-- only the princ.i.p.al members of the Company, I understand.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_Moistening her lips with her tongue._] Yes, only the members of the Company, Lil says.
ROPER.
With Morrie Cooling and Vincent Bland thrown in.
JEYES.
[_Looking at ROPER._] _You_ seem to know a lot about it, Roper.
ROPER.
I was behind when Morrie was going round to the dressing-rooms.
JEYES.
[_To ROPER, suspiciously._] Are _you_ asked?
ROPER.
[_Taken aback._] E--eh?
JEYES.
Are _you_ asked?
ROPER.
[_With an attempt at airiness._] Oh, yes, they've dragged me into it.
JEYES.
Since when have _you_ been a member of the Company?
ROPER.
No, but-- dash it, I've done business for Carlton in the City for twenty years or more----!
JEYES.
That doesn't make you one.
ROPER.
And I'm an old friend of Lil's.
JEYES.
Not older than I. [_Violently._] Why the blazes doesn't Smythe invite _me_?
ROPER.
[_Extending his arms._] My dear Nicko, _I'm_ not giving the party.
Really, you do jump down a man's throat----!
JEYES.
Sorry, sorry, sorry. [_Leaning back and thrusting his hands into his pocket._] Well, I'll put Jack and the Linthornes off. They don't want to sup with _me_; I shouldn't amuse 'em. [_Gazing at the carpet._] Her birthday, though! It'll be the first time I shall have been out of _that_ for-- how many years?-- six years. I---- [_Raising his head, he detects MRS. UPJOHN and ROPER eyeing each other uncomfortably._]
Anything the matter?
ROPER.