The 'Mind the Paint' Girl - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_Sitting upon the settee by the piano and pulling off her gloves._]
Ha, ha, ha!
LILY.
You shut up, Jimmie. [_s.n.a.t.c.hing the fan from ROPER._] How on earth am I to remember! [_Fanning herself._] Who's given me _this_ pretty thing?
MRS. UPJOHN.
Mr. Monty Levine.
LILY.
Bless him! He's a dear little man, though he does bite his nails.
[_GLADYS appears with VINCENT BLAND, who saunters in after her. Seeing LILY, GLADYS advances to her._] Hallo, Vincent!
BLAND.
[_A thin, delicate looking man of eight-and-thirty, not over smartly dressed, wearing an eye-gla.s.s-- nodding to LILY casually._] You needn't have cut me, almost on your door-step. [_To JIMMIE and JEYES._] H'lo, Jimmie! H'lo, Nicko!
GLADYS.
[_Viewing LILY with an elevation of the brows._] Oh, are you home?
LILY.
[_Returning GLADYS'S stare._] Apparently.
GLADYS.
I'll whistle up to Maud.
LILY.
Don't, if it's too severe a strain on you.
MRS. UPJOHN.
[_To GLADYS, as the girl moves to the door._] Gladys, we'll 'ave tea.
GLADYS.
[_At the door._] You can't till it's ready.
LILY.
[_Calmly._] Cheek!
[_GLADYS retires._
BLAND.
[_Who has strolled across to LILY, indolently._] Why do you retain the services of that tousled-headed hussy?
LILY.
[_With conviction._] Oh, she's a little under the weather, but she's a perfect servant.
BLAND.
[_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Ma, you look blooming.
MRS. UPJOHN.
Wish I could return the compliment, Mr. Bland.
BLAND.
[_To ROPER, who is wearing a waistcoat of rather a p.r.o.nounced pattern._] Congratulations on your waistcoat, Lal.
ROPER.
[_Joining JIMMIE, annoyed._] Now, no personalities.
LILY.
[_Giving BLAND her hand._] Vincent, yours is one of the loveliest presents I've had to-day. _Remerciement!_ How's that for a French accent?
BLAND.
[_Dropping his eyegla.s.s._] You cat!
LILY.
Why----?
BLAND.
You know I've given you nothing, not even a penny nosegay.
JIMMIE.
Ha, ha, ha!
LILY.
[_Raising herself on her elbow._] On my honour--! Vincent dear, I swear I thought----!
BLAND.
